Hull City will be a very interesting team to follow in their first summer transfer window under Acun Ilicali's ownership.

The Tigers achieved a respectable 19th placed finish in their first campaign in the Championship since winning the League One title in 2020/21.

Hull finished the season with a 14 point cushion over the relegation zone, but did appear to stutter a little after Shota Arveladze replaced Grant McCann in the dugout.

The Georgian's capabilities at Championship level will be assessed to a greater extent in the opening months of next season, with a transfer window and pre-season behind him.

With Reading and Birmingham City edging towards worrying seasons, Hull may receive some favours from the teams around them next season, but they certainly need to improve their squad and performance levels to feel confident heading into 2022/23.

Here, we have taken a look at eight free agents who would fit perfectly into Hull City's squad...

Nathan Byrne would be a very shrewd addition this summer to upgrade their strength in the right back position.

Neither Lewie Coyle or Josh Emmanuel are promising Championship players and Byrne would bring bags of experience to the role.

The 29-year-old is approaching 200 appearances in the second tier and can contribute in the attacking third, to add to the youthful exuberance of Brandon Fleming from the other flank.

In addressing one problem area heading into next season, Byrne would be an upgrade on Emmanuel who is nearing the expiration of his deal at MKM Stadium.

Hull are light in central midfield areas heading into the summer and Ebou Adams could be the ideal candidate, available on a free with his deal running out at Forest Green Rovers.

The attack-minded midfielder has been one of the best players in League Two for some years now, and would certainly back his ability to slot into a Championship team next season.

With Tom Huddlestone leaving, Liam Walsh returning to Swansea City and George Moncur struggling to show his true ability, Adams is the perfect player to freshen up the contingent this summer.

Will Vaulks is, one of many, approaching the end of his contract at Cardiff City, and the box-to-box midfielder would represent smart business.

Vaulks was a key player under Mick McCarthy and was heavily involved with the Bluebirds competing towards the top end of the Championship in recent years.

The 28-year-old has seven caps for Wales, and would add some much needed steel to the Tigers' midfield, adept at breaking up play and finding more creative players in central areas.

Aden Flint could add some experience to the Tigers' backline this summer, another one of the contingent at Cardiff with their futures up in the air.

The 32-year-old has been a reliable performer for the Bluebirds this season, and has stepped up in the absence of Sean Morrison, due to injury in the Welsh capital.

Flint's presence could further accelerate the development of Jacob Greaves and provide some crucial strength in depth for Arveladze ahead of a potentially difficult season.

Ravel Morrison could be an eye-catching option for Hull in the summer with the 29-year-old's deal up at Derby County.

Wayne Rooney has been able to motivate Morrison where other managers have failed this season and that would pose a challenge to Arveladze.

The Jamaica international managed nine goal involvements for the Rams this season and showed that he is still worth a punt in the EFL.

The Tigers could do with adding another attacking midfielder to take some weight off of George Honeyman, and Morrison arriving would certainly have a high upside.

Jeremie Bela has played in a variety of roles for Birmingham City in recent years and has even dropped back to full back at times this season under Lee Bowyer.

The Angolan would add some much needed pace and power at the top of the pitch for the Tigers, and should be on the radar of a number of Championship clubs due to being available on a free.

With Josh Magennis leaving in January, the Tigers are in need of a physical presence to offer a plan B to Arveladze.

The ideal signing this summer for Hull City would be Michael Smith.

The 30-year-old is out of contract at Rotherham United, and has proven himself as a capable striker at Championship level in recent years.

The former Bury man is not the biggest goal threat in the division, but contributes enough in his hold-up play and all-round game that that is not a concern.

Smith is peaking a little later in his career and would offer an upgrade on the services on Tom Eaves in the second tier.

Robbie Brady could make a romantic return to MKM Stadium this summer when his contract expires at Bournemouth.

The Irishman has dropped back in terms of his position on the pitch in the last few years and could certainly contribute for the Tigers with his versatility.

His delivery from dead ball situations and open play could improve the side's attacking output and he would also add some experience to a fairly youthful squad, with a lot of players within in it being exposed more to League One and Two than the second tier in their careers.