The youngster has revealed his delight at joining the Tigers
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
12:37, 04 Jan 2026Updated 12:40, 04 Jan 2026
James Debayo has signed for Hull City’s academy.(Image: Hull City AFC)
Hull City have snapped-up former Leeds United defender James Debayo on an 18-month contract, with the Tigers holding the option of a further year 12 months.
The 20-year-old is viewed as a player of potential, in a similar fashion to Cathal McCarthy, who has been given his chance in Sergej Jakirovic’s first-team this season, including the win at Middlesbrough on Monday night.
Debayo, who was born in London, has been signed after his successful trial with the club’s academy, and says he’s ‘buzzing’ to have joined the Championship Tigers.
“I’m buzzing,” Debayo said after his move was ratified. “It’s been a while, but I’m thankful to finally get the deal over the line, and I’m excited to get going now.
“It has been quite easy speaking to the club because there’s a clear pathway. The team is very young and this feels like a good place for me to take the next step in my career.
“A couple of months ago, I came in to train with the boys to get a feel for the place. I really liked it and, luckily, I’m here permanently now.
“I feel I can progress here, become a more experienced player and get more games under my belt.
“I am a very composed defender on the ball. I like to break lines and step in. Off the ball, I am fast and aggressive. I enjoy winning my headers and one-vs-one duels.
“The head coach and staff have been really welcoming and helped me settle in easily. There are a couple of boys I know from Leeds, as well as Joel Ndala, who I met at the England camps a few years ago. The boys have done so well this season, and I hope to break through into the team as soon as possible and see what happens from there.”
Featuring nine times in the Under-18 Premier League during his first season in West Yorkshire, he made a further nine appearances the following year and netted in victories over Nottingham Forest and Wolves.
In 2022/2023, Debayo featured three times in the FA Youth Cup and 15 times for the Under-21s, including twice in the EFL Trophy and twice in the Premier League 2 play-offs as City’s Yorkshire rivals won the prestigious youth competition.
Signing his first professional contract ahead of the 2023/2024 season, the defender became a regular for Leeds’ Under-21s over the next two seasons, helping the Whites win the 2024/25 National League Cup.
His final season at Leeds in 2024/2025 saw him make his senior debut as a substitute in a 4-3 Championship victory over Swansea City in November 2024.
Named in 24 matchday squads during the Whites’ title-winning campaign, his second and final Leeds outing came in an Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie against Millwall in February 2025.
Debayo has earned a combined nine caps for England, representing the Three Lions at three age groups – featuring once at Under-15s level, twice at Under-17s and six times at Under-18s – and will be a part of Conor Sellars’ Under-21 squad, but hopes to catch the eye of Jakirovic having already trained at Cottingham.
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