Wednesday 5 July 2017 16:20, UK
Hull City have “reluctantly” confirmed they have agreed to release teenage defender Josh Tymon.
The 18-year-old left-back, who made five Premier League appearances last season, has turned down a professional contract with the club and chosen to cancel his scholarship contract, which was due to expire in June 2018.
That has left Hull with "no option" but to accept his request for release but vice-chairman Ehab Allam insists the club made a significant effort to keep Tymon.
"The club is naturally disappointed to lose a home-grown product of its academy," Allam said.
"We have met with Josh and his representatives on numerous occasions starting back in January 2016 with improved offers of a professional contract. I want to make clear that we have made offers significantly higher than the figures circulated by some media sources."
Tymon has been linked with a switch to Stoke City by various media outlets and Hull will be entitled to a fee if that goes ahead.
The Hull native became the youngest Tigers player to be involved in a major competition when he made his first-team debut as a 16-year-old in an FA Cup tie against Bury in March 2016 and Allam believes he has the potential to play for England.
Allam continued: "The club has played a significant role in Josh's development as a player who joined us at the age of 12 and has risen through our ranks to play for England at U17, U18 and U20 level and in the Premier League.
"I believe he will one day be a full England international and I take pride in the work the club has done to make that possible. This also makes it even more difficult to take having invested so heavily in his development through the excellent Academy set-up we have. We had hoped that Josh would remain with us to realise his potential."
