Transfer News: Hull City sign Brian Lenihan from Cork City

Hull City Steve Bruce has completed the signing of Cork City defender Brian Lenihan for an undisclosed fee.

With the Tigers looking to strengthen their squad before the transfer deadline, the 20-year-old right full-back, who has been capped by the Republic of Ireland at U19 level, has penned a three-year deal at the KC Stadium following two seasons with the League of Ireland outfit. 

“Brian is a young player who has had a wonderful season in Ireland,” said Bruce, who believes Lenihan is an exciting addition for the future. 

“It’s going to be a big step up for him coming here but he’s a player we’ll try to develop. He fits into our criteria of trying to find some very, very decent young players to bolster what we’ve already got here. 

“He’s one for the future and he’s only really been playing for a year in the Irish league. He’s a right-back standing at 6’2” and a really good athlete who can get up and down the pitch. 

“We’ve beaten off a lot of competition to get him and I’m very pleased about that.”

Hull's Cork-born midfielder David Meyler is part of the senior Republic squad, and asked about Lenihan on Monday, he said: "He's a fantastic young talent and hopefully he'll kick on and do really well.

"I watched him a couple of times when I went home during the summer and saw Cork City - I think he's a terrific player.

"I met him the other day. He was watching training before he started his medical and I had a chat with him for about 15  minutes.

"I think he had a couple of options but he was persuaded by another Corkman to come anyway!

"He's only 20 and he's the same size as me so that's a start anyway. He's an athletic right-back, he's young, he's eager, and he's a quiet young guy but he gets his head down and works.

"With a manager like Steve Bruce he'll get great coaching and the defenders at our club will teach him.

"He'll learn the ropes and hopefully he'll do well for Hull and break into the Irish team in the next few years."