Hull City owner makes Jean Michael Seri admission as transfer coup nears

Jean Michael Seri will become Hull City's chief conductor, according to owner Acun Ilicali, should the Ivory Coast international secure his move to the Championship club.

Ilicali is growing increasingly confident of clinching the signing of the holding midfielder, who starred for Marco Silva on the way to Fulham's Championship title win last season. Despite making 33 appearances for the Cottagers, Seri was released at the end of season and the Tigers owner has acted swiftly to snap him up.

The Turkish businessman has been personally invested in numerous deals this summer, believing his involvement can help convince potential new recruits that City are genuine about their ambitions, despite a 19th-placed finish last term.

City's effervescent owner invited Seri to spend time with him in Istanbul and says he's even more convinced that the 30-year-old is the perfect signing than he was before.

"Very probably he will be wearing a Hull City shirt. I was with him in Istanbul, and before I was a fan of his football but after I've got to know him, I'm a fan of his character, too.," Ilicali said. "He is fully focussed on football, he's a family man who has the passion to take us to higher places.

"He will be chief of our orchestra in this team and with this quality of player being the chief in the team, I believe we will be very happy."

The Tigers' scouting network has been working overtime in recent weeks in a bid to find players they believe can make a significant difference this term, and Tobias Figueiredo is one of those.

A promotion winner with Nottingham Forest at the end of May, the Portuguese defender was released after spending four years at the City Ground, and City have moved quickly to tie him down to a two-year deal.