Hull City gain an experienced, fit centre-back as John Egan establishes himself as a Premier League regular and wins his way back into the Republic of Ireland squad. Egan, now 33, has started five of Hull's league matches since their promotion and signed a new two-year deal earlier this month, a rapid turnaround after a difficult 18 months.
Just 18 months ago Egan was struggling for minutes at Burnley and had thought his top-flight days might be over after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury for Sheffield United in September 2023. He made 208 appearances for Sheffield United across six seasons, was named club captain in the summer of 2023, and missed close to 10 months while recovering. His contract expired the following summer and the club did not renew it.
After trials with Burnley and West Ham Egan accepted a one-year deal at Burnley but managed only seven appearances as they chased an immediate return to the Premier League. He then moved to Hull in January 2024 on an 18-month contract and was thrown straight into action, completing his first full 90 minutes in over a year in a 2-0 defeat to Burnley in February. Egan made 10 further appearances that season as Hull stayed up on goal difference.
Under manager Sergej Jakirovic the club transformed the following campaign, with Egan a mainstay. He played 48 times as Hull reached the play-offs and won the final against Middlesbrough to secure promotion. He continued that form this season, producing 18 clearances in Hull's opening day 2-0 win over Manchester United and helping the side keep clean sheets against Coventry and Aston Villa, before results at Chelsea and Newcastle.
Egan's club form earned him an international recall in October last year after two years without a call-up. He has won 38 caps, coming on as a late substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Portugal and later starting in the 0-0 friendly draw with North Macedonia in May to win his 38th cap. With manager Heimir Hallgrimsson favouring three centre-backs, and with captain Nathan Collins injured while other options have limited recent minutes or are inexperienced internationally, Egan has put himself in contention for the Nations League opener against Kosovo.
The international window is condensed, with a game against Austria sandwiched between two fixtures against Israel in 12 days, a schedule that increases the likelihood Egan will see minutes for Ireland. For a player who endured a serious injury, release and a spell of limited game time, Egan's restoration to a Premier League starting line-up and the national squad provides both club and country with a seasoned defensive option going into the season's next tests.
