Hull City set to land transfer breakthrough - it involves Middlesbrough | OneFootball

The EFL have approved Hull City's move for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng is on the verge of completing a permanent switch to Hull City this January after the EFL approved the move.

According to HullLive, the EFL has approved the Tigers' move for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng this January, with the Senegalese shot-stopper set to switch Teesside for Humberside this winter.

Dieng has been out of action since December 2024, playing his final game for Boro in a 3-1 away defeat to Leeds United, with Sol Brynn taking the mantle of Boro's starting goalkeeper away from him.

The 31-year-old is expected to link up with Sergej Jakirovic's high-flying Tigers soon and provide competition for Croatian keeper Ivor Pandur.

Dieng is expected to sign an 18-month deal at Hull, taking him into the summer of 2027, giving him ample time to stake a claim for a permanent place in-between the sticks at the MKM Stadium.

Though Dieng has not played a professional game in over a year, the 31-year-old still boasts a wealth of experience at the Championship level, having made 168 second-tier appearances across time with Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough.

The Northern Echo reported back in October that his time on Teesside was likely to come to an end upon the commencement of the new year, and so it seems.

Dieng suffered an Achilles injury, which kept him out of action for ten months, and he has not made a senior appearance since.

Capology estimates that Dieng is currently earning in excess of £10,000 per-week at Boro, and Kim Hellberg's side are looking to clear their roster out this January window in a bid to reduce the wage bill for potential arrivals.

Fortunately for Boro, Hull are more than happy to offer Dieng an escape route out of The Riverside, with the Tigers having only the aforementioned Pandur and Dillon Phillips as options in net at the moment.

Jakirovic previously told Hull Live: "Ivor (Pandur) is now number one, but he's (Dieng) a good goalkeeper who has experience in this league, which is very, very important."

Hull City and Sergej Jakirovic must still comply with transfer restrictions laid out by the EFL

Hull were hit with an initial transfer embargo until January 2027 in the summer by the EFL, citing ongoing fears concerning the financial stability of the club.

This meant that the Tigers were unable to spend a fee on a player for the next 18 months, though this was reduced to just 12 months after an appeal, allowing them to bring in players for a fee as early as next summer.

Though this restriction may well have benefited them, completing the free signings of the likes of Oli McBurnie and Semi Ajayi, whilst Joe Gelhardt and John Lundstram joined on loan, all impressing on Humberside.

Dieng is set to be the next arrival at the MKM Stadium on a free transfer, allowing them to continue to comply with their embargo restrictions.

Whilst he is unlikely to immediately break into the side, he is expected to provide serious competition for Pandur for the number one position between the sticks at the club.