Who is Fernando Martins? The Brazilian midfielder linked with Hull City

Hull City have been linked with a move for 30-year-old defensive midfielder Fernando Martins. Reports from Turkey state the Tigers have started negotiations for the international as Shota Arveladze looks to strengthen his squad.

Turkish Journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu claims Hull have already initiated contact for the Super Lig midfielder. Martins is a fully capped Brazilian international, but it's fair to say is an unknown quantity in England.

The defensive minded midfielder started his career with Gremio in his native country of Brazil before signing a five-year deal with Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported fee of €11million in 2013. Martins would spend two years in the Ukrainian Premier League before signing for Sampdoria in 2015.

He would make 33 league appearances, scoring four goals, for the club before being sold to Spartak Moscow for a reported fee of €12 million. It was during his time in Russia that he would enjoy the best spell of his career.

Martins scored 11 times in 78 appearances, spending three years in the Russian capital before a move to China and later signed for Antalyaspor at the beginning of 2022. He's scored four goals and notched four assists.