Hull City have confirmed the signing of 21-year-old centre-back Nobel Mendy from Rayo Vallecano for a club record fee. The Senegal international has signed a five-year contract with an option for a further year.
The club did not disclose the transfer fee but said it exceeds the £20m plus add-ons paid earlier this month for Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis from Olympiacos. Hull's previous transfer record stood since 2016, when they paid £13m for Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason.
Mendy made 28 appearances for Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, scoring twice, with his final game coming in the Conference League final defeat to Crystal Palace. He previously played for Real Betis and also reached the Conference League final with that club, losing to Chelsea. Mendy began his career at Paris FC and earned one Senegal cap, against The Gambia in March.
"I am very happy to be here and very proud to be here as well," Mendy said. "I have wanted to play in the Premier League since I was little, so it's a great challenge to face and I am ready for it."
