Ryan Giles' Hull City transfer and what it means for Middlesbrough

RYAN Giles yesterday completed his permanent move to Hull City - but the switch doesn't change anything from Middlesbrough's perspective this summer.

Boro have always expected Giles to make his move from Luton to Hull permanent on the back of his loan spell at the MKM Stadium in the second half of last season.

The Tigers triggered a permanent option, with Giles signing a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

But Boro will continue to closely monitor their former loanee's situation this summer.

Although Hull have made the deal permanent, they have a new manager in Tim Walter, who replaced Liam Rosenior, who was the head coach when the Tigers initially signed Giles.

Giles also has competition at left-back, with Matty Jacob preferred in that position in the final weeks of last season. Jacob signed a new three-year deal in March.

Giles made 17 appearances for Hull last season after joining in January but didn't start any of their final nine Championship games.

The best spell of Giles' career so far came at the Riverside during a loan spell at Boro in the 2022/23 season. Boro wanted to sign the left-back on a permanent deal last summer but he instead opted for Luton, a move that didn't work out. While the appeal to join a Premier League club was obvious, it's understood that with hindsight, the 25-year-old now knows he'd have been better off joining Boro 12 months ago.

READ MORE:

• 'It's a special place': Michael Carrick sets Middlesbrough clear Riverside aim

• Hayden Coulson gets move he wanted after permanent Middlesbrough exit is confirmed

• Middlesbrough's transfer 'focus' with Michael Carrick excited by summer business

What happens next is unclear at this stage. Walter might well decide that Giles is going to be a key figure for the Tigers next season but if that's not the case - and with Hull having to tread carefully this summer to ensure they comply with financial fair play regulations - Boro would make a move if there was any possibility of a deal being struck for the wing-back.

There are, clearly, several obstacles at this stage, but Boro - as they have done since the end of the season - will continue to keep tabs on the situation. Boro's preference would be an initial loan move with an option to then make the deal permanent.

Earlier this summer, Hull owner Acun Ilicali admitted: "When you look at our squad at the moment, our wages are high plus the money we have paid to clubs we are on the limit, we are playing chess.

"Maybe we have to sell some players so we can bring in some new ones. I think we may have to move on five or six players to free up some space."

Should Hull decide that Giles is going nowhere this summer, Boro would be happy to go into the new season with Lukas Engel and Alex Bangura as their left-back options.

Fellow left-back Hayden Coulson last night completed his permanent move to Blackpool, signing a three-year deal with the League One club.