Karl Darlow improved ‘immeasurably’ on Hull City loan before Leeds United move – Liam Rosenior
Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow “improved immeasurably” during his loan spell to Hull City last season, according to his then-boss Liam Rosenior.
In an interview with Hull Live (13 September), the Tigers boss admitted it is “great” to see him move on to Leeds United, and that he “learned a lot” from his time at the MKM Stadium.
Darlow joined Hull on a six-month loan in January last season from Newcastle United and made 12 Championship appearances under Rosenior, but has since moved to Elland Road for an undisclosed fee despite his former boss being keen on him to stay.
Speaking to Hull Live, Rosenior said: “Karl Darlow was a great example and Karl will tell you that he improved massively as a goalkeeper in the six months he was with us, and it’s great to see him move on with his career.
“It wasn’t to be that he came here but if anyone asked Karl Darlow about his time here, he’d say he learnt a lot and improved immeasurably from where he was when he came in.”
Top ‘keeper
Rosenior was very quick to praise his former shot-stopper. While Hull City had a tough campaign last season which ended in a 15th-place finish, Darlow was a standout and Rosenior was keen to keep the Englishman in his ranks.
A move away from Newcastle seemed inevitable – Darlow would have quickly fallen down the pecking order at St James Park amid the Magpies’ Saudi takeover, and his loan to the Championship was a taste of what was to come.
He found himself as Daniel Farke’s second summer signing after Ethan Ampadu at Leeds but may have expected more game time so far this season. Illan Meslier did not earn his expected Elland Road exit, so the man many tipped to be Leeds’ new number one has earned just two League Cup appearances so far.
However, the 32-year-old has a wealth of experience, especially in the Championship, so Farke will be confident if he ever needs to call upon him.
Darlow will bide his time for opportunities akin to what he received under Rosenior at Hull City and could be fed up with bench-warming after making just 9 appearances for Newcastle in two seasons.
In other Leeds United news, YEP journalist Graham Smyth has shared a Patrick Bamford update.