'Unsatisfactory situation' - Anthony Racioppi opens up on Hull City exit
Anthony Racioppi admits the past six months have been tough after he left Hull City to join FC Koln on loan for the rest of the season.
The Swiss goalkeeper was one of City's high-profile summer signings after he arrived from Young Boys. But he failed to make a single appearance in the Championship, with his only one coming in the Carabao Cup loss at home to Sheffield Wednesday in the opening week of the season.
Unfortunately for the 26-year-old, his error led straight to a Wednesday goal, and from that moment, he never played for City again, either under Tim Walter or Ruben Selles. He initially played back up to Ivor Pandur and then fell to third choice following the deadline day arrival of Carl Rushworth.
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Boss Ruben Selles was keen to move Racioppi out of the club and grant his wish of playing regular football, something he will hope to get with Koln, who sit second in Bundesliga.2 behind leaders, and Walter's former club, Hamburg. The German giants have the option to turn the deal into a permanent transfer in the summer.
“I am pleased about the new challenge at FC, after the last half year wasn’t so easy for me," he told the club website. "My role is clear, but I am a sportsman – the most important thing is that we enjoy success as a team, and I will work hard for that, giving everything and want to develop myself within the goalkeeper team at a big club."
Koln director of football Thomas Kessler, meanwhile, revealed how Racioppi had been on the club's radar for a period of time, before he moved to England in the summer.
“Anthony was on our radar during his time in Bern and is a goalkeeper that we have followed intensively," he explained. "His performances, on national and international level, helped him to come into consideration for the Swiss national team. Due to the unsatisfactory situation at Hull City as well as the departure as Jonas Urbig, we then had the opportunity to sign him. We are pleased that, together with Anthony, we can follow his ambitious goals."
