Hull City have announced the termination of former Town loanee Jimmy Bullard’s contract in the wake of his suspension for an alleged indiscretion which took place during the Tigers’ pre-season trip to Slovenia. The 32-year-old, the Blues’ Player of the Year during a hugely successful loan spell last season, has not played for the club he joined from Fulham for £5 million in 2009 this season.
Hull chief executive Mark Maguire said in a statement that Bullard’s £45,000-a-week contract, which had two years left to run and made up 21% of the Tigers’ wage bill, is to be terminated: "I can confirm that the club has given notice to terminate the contract of Jimmy Bullard.
"Mr Bullard has a right of appeal and it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time that might prejudice this process.
"The club will continue to focus on the development and performance of the squad going forward and is concentrated on efforts to deliver a positive season on and off the pitch for the Tigers.
"We respect that there will be significant interest in this matter but will continue to act with professionalism and at all times in the best interests of the club.”
It's understood the termination means Bullard will receive nothing of what remains on his contract, the move effectively constituting his sacking by the Tigers.
While the Blues were interested in signing the midfielder earlier in the summer, boss Paul Jewell has said on a number of occasions that the deal would be beyond Town's finances, although whether this would still be the case now that Bullard's situation has changed remains to be seen.
However, QPR are also understood to be strongly interested in signing the former Peterborough and Wigan man and would appear to be the favourites for his signature, unless the takeover which was announced earlier today has led to them look elsewhere for midfield additions.