George Honeyman looks set to join Hull City as journalist David Coverdale reports he has passed a medical.

The midfielder only has to complete the necessary paperwork and if the £400,000 move is finalised before the registration window closes then he could even be in contention for The Tigers' opening fixture against Swansea.

Honeyman was made Sunderland captain by Jack Ross just days ago, succeeding Lee Cattermole who departed earlier this summer, and to lose another influential figure will be a blow to the manager, who admitted that the move has come as a surprise to him.

The 24-year-old built upon his breakthrough season last year by making 36 appearances for the Black Cats, and his six goals and three assists helped his side to the play-off final.

However, a failure to get back into the Championship means Honeyman has to move elsewhere to progress his career, and it looks like he has chosen to do exactly that despite coming through the academy and having an affinity with the club.

The Verdict

This is a big blow for Sunderland and it really hinders their chances of promotion this season, particularly as there is little time left in the window to find an adequate replacement.

It is a shock move given he is Sunderland captain, and the fact that if he stayed he could soon be playing in the Championship for a bigger club than Hull - and it wasn't as if he wasn't part of Ross' plans.