Hull City defender Danny Lupano considering return to Derry City

The 20 year-old Belgian joined the Candy Stripes on a six month loan deal from the League One outfit last February but due to the Covid-19 shutdown in March, he was limited to just four appearances before returning to Hull.

It’s understood City boss Declan Devine is keen to bring Lupano back and has made a tentative approach to the player to gauge his interest.

City Technical Director, Paddy McCourt remains good friends with his former Northern Ireland teammate and current Hull City manager, Grant McCann, and with the player seeking gametime, a loan move could soon be agreed between the clubs.

The Tigers are flying high at the top of League One and Lupano, who is contracted with the club until the end of the current campaign, understands another loan move is his best option to gain valuable experience.

Lupano, who can operate at centre half or at right back, said he enjoyed his short spell on Foyleside and claims he would be open to a return should Derry follow up on their interest.

“I’ve had interest from Declan but there’s been nothing certain so far,” he explained. “It’s something I would look forward to because my time there was cut short the last time.

“Last time I was in contact with Declan was a couple of weeks ago but I’ve heard nothing more since. It was a new experience at Derry and it was about having gametime and I enjoyed my time there.”

The 6ft 4'' youngster impressed on his debut in the 1-1 draw against Dundalk at Oriel Park and followed that performance up with solid displays against Finn Harps, Bohemians and Waterford.

When Covid-19 forced a temporary shutdown of the league it signalled the end of Lupano’s promising loan spell.

He returned to Hull who triggered a 12 month extension to his contract before heading out on a short term loan at English Conference side, King’s Lynn Town last October.

Now he’s anxious to find regular gametime and sees Derry as the perfect option.

“I never really got to show a lot of my game at Derry,” he said. “I only played four or five games so it was quite short. I feel I could have offered more but the Coronavirus situation ended my time there.

“I haven’t spoken to Hull yet but I’m looking to go on loan again because I’m not getting enough game time and I’m at that age now, I’m a young defender and I need games and experience. So that’s the next step for me.

“Hull are doing quite well right now and it’s tough to break through into the first team. The last time I was at Derry I was doing well, getting gametime and the manager was trusting me. So if there was interest I would have to consider it.”

While there have been plenty of departures since he was last at the club, Lupano still keeps in contact with some of the current Derry players and believes he could settle back in quickly.

“I’ve seen there’s been players who have left but I still keep in contact with the rest of the lads. If I get to come back I still know a few of the lads which will make it easier to settle back in.

“It would be nice for me to come back and I would definitely be open to being back at Brandywell,” he added.

“I think it would be a good experience for me.

“When I was playing at the Brandywell in front of the fans it was amazing, it was impressive.”