Zambrano returns to Hull City on permanent deal

Zambrano made eight appearances for Hull in 2024-25 [Getty Images] Hull City have completed the permanent signing of Ecuadorian midfielder Oscar Zambrano, 12 months after he finished a loan spell at the club. The 22-year-old signed a four-year contract - with the option of an additional year - after the newly promoted Premier League side agreed an undisclosed fee with Slovenian side Maribor. Zambrano made eight appearances for the Tigers in 2024-25 season after joining from Ecuadorian side LDU Quito on a season-long loan. In November 2024, the defensive midfielder was given a 16-month suspension by South American football confederation Conmebol for breaching anti-doping rules while playing for Quito. The Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced the ban to 12 months, and Zambrano returned to competitive action in November 2025 with Maribor. Injury limited him to seven appearances for the club. Zambrano has been capped 14 times at under-20 level by his country and began his footballing education at the same academy as Chelsea 's Moises Caicedo at Colorados Jaipadida. Zambrano is Hull City's second signing of the summer after the arrival of 33-year-old goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers .