Following the announcement of our retained list, the club would like to thank all departing players for their efforts in black and amber.
Title-winning midfielder Greg Docherty first joined the club in August 2020 from Rangers, being an influential presence in the middle of the park. Netting six of his seven City goals in his debut campaign, Docherty played 48 times in total as Grant McCann’s side lifted the League One trophy, ending the club’s 55-year wait for a league title. A model professional on and off the pitch over the next three seasons, scoring our Goal of the Season against Blackpool in the 2022/23 campaign, the 27-year-old’s 142nd and final Tigers appearance came in a 3-0 home win over Queens Park Rangers.
Signed in September 2022, Adama Traoré missed the majority of the 2022/23 season due to a long-term injury. Making his debut against Bristol City in February 2023, the midfielder netted his first City goal in the club’s 450th league fixture at the MKM Stadium, a 1-0 win over Millwall in April 2023. Featuring 36 times in total, the Mali international also netted against Stoke City and Millwall this campaign.
Defender Cyrus Christie showed his versatility after first signing for the club in August 2022, operating at full-back, centre-back and right midfield. The 31-year-old netted in victories over Rotherham United and Cardiff City, scoring a total of three goals and featuring 56 times over two seasons.
After a successful loan spell that saw him net a brace on his 23rd birthday over QPR last season, Aaron Connolly rejoined the Tigers from Brighton & Hove Abion permanently in August 2023. Netting in victories over Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City and Cardiff City, the Irishman leaves the club after scoring 10 goals in 36 appearances.
Experienced striker Billy Sharp featured 12 times following his winter move from the MLS, providing experience to a young squad. Fellow forward Vaughn Covil made eight first-team appearances after joining from Forest Green Rovers in July 2022 and was an ever-present for the Under-21s this campaign.
Academy graduate David Robson first joined the club at Under-15s level, progressing through the system before making his only senior appearance in an EFL Cup first-round tie against Bradford City in August 2022.
Loan Players
We would also like to thank the players who have represented the club on loan, whose deals expire on 30 June.
Netting on debut in the season opener against Norwich City, Liam Delap scored eight times in 32 appearances for the club. Becoming an England Under-21 international during his time with the Tigers, the 21-year-old missed a significant amount of the second half of the season due to a knee injury, but returned in April to produce strong performances, netting against Ipswich Town.
Fellow England Under-21 international Tyler Morton enjoyed a second season in the Championship, featuring 41 times in all competitions and scoring his first senior goals with three. Netting against Rotherham United and Swansea City, the midfielder’s finish against Norwich was nominated for Goal of the Season.
Both Morton and fellow Liverpool loanee Fábio Carvalho received the EFL's Young Player of the Month award during their time with the Tigers - the latter producing an almost one-in-two goal ratio during his loan spell. Scoring his first Tigers goal away to Sunderland, the 21-year-old netted nine times in 20 appearances. His finish at home to West Bromwich Albion was assisted by Ryan Giles, who featured 17 times in black and amber, including 11 starts.
Anass Zaroury scored vital goals against Southampton and Leicester City in his 12 appearances, while Noah Ohio also netted important finishes. Scoring winners against Rotherham United and Coventry City, along with a late equaliser against Ipswich, the Netherlands Under-21 striker made eight appearances.
