Ex-Black Cat Larsson set to become a Tiger

Seb Larsson is on the brink of joining Sunderland’s Championship rivals, Hull City.

The 32-year-old had a number of offers from across the globe, but is now set to stay in the UK and join Leonid Slutsky at the KCOM Stadium.

Then Black Cats boss David Moyes was keen on keeping the Swede for the Championship campaign, but an agreement was not reached and Larsson began to explore other options.

Larsson enjoyed a six-year spell on Wearside but was one of several players to leave the Stadium of Light this summer.

Jordan Pickford, Jermain Defoe, Vito Mannone, Fabio Borini, Victor Anichebe, Jan Kirchhoff and Jeremain Lens are among those players to have either been sold or to not have their contracts renewed.

Larsson, who had interest from clubs in China, Turkey and Spain plus Premier League interest from Brighton, had previously spoken of a desire to play at the highest level possible.

The Swedish international is now poised for a new challenge with the Tigers, relegated from the Premier, along with Sunderland, last term.

Larsson suffered a disrupted season last year, not getting going until December because of a knee operation he underwent in the summer.

He played 23 games for the Black Cats in total last term as they slipped out of the Premier League after a dismal campaign.

Larsson has been holding talks with Hull officials over the past week and has indicated a willingness to join on a free transfer.

He could join the Tigers before Saturday’s home league clash against Burton Albion, with a medical set to take place in the coming days.

Slutsky is keen to add experience to his Hull squad after losing some key players this summer following their relegation, with Tom Huddlestone and Curtis Davies both joining Derby County.

Should the deal go through then Larsson, who has Championship experience with Birmingham City, won’t have to wait long to take on his former team-mates.

Sunderland travel to Hull City on September 16.