Cathal McCarthy joins on loan from Hull City

Kilmarnock Football Club is thrilled to announce the loan signing of Cathal McCarthy, subject to Scottish FA approval.

The 19-year-old centre-back, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, will spend the season at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park on loan from newly promoted Premier League side Hull City.

He becomes our ninth summer arrival, as Neil McCann continues to shape his squad ahead of next month’s transfer deadline with this exciting addition.

The 6ft 1′ Irish defender signed for Hull last year and has gone on to make eight first team appearances for the Tigers – six of which came during last season’s successful promotion from the Championship to the top-flight of English football. The right-footed player previously turned out for UCD in his homeland, where he made 20 appearances. He is also a Republic of Ireland Under-21 internationalist.

“I’m delighted to be here and I am really looking forward to get going,” Cathal said upon the completion of his deal. “Our game this weekend has been postponed, but I’m looking forward to next week already. I’ve met some of my new teammates, and most of the staff. I’m excited to get involved.

“I spoke to Liam Millar back in Hull, who spent time here, and James Furlong who was on loan at Motherwell. Both loved their time in Scotland.

“I want to set down a marker, prove to everyone that I’m good enough to play regular first team football. As for the team, we want to push up the table and do better than we did last season.”

McCann added: “He’s a player that we looked at in January, it never happened but we kept tabs on him. We’ve had lots of very positive conversations with Hull. They’ve had a great deal of interest – from clubs north and south of the border – to get him out on loan because of the impact he had on their first team. We’re delighted that Hull, and the player himself, feels that we’re the right place for him.

“He’s a defender that’s shown lots of promise in the early stages of his career, and we’re hoping to play a big part in his development, like we did, for example, with Findlay [Curtis] last season, and what we’re looking to do with Bailey [Rice] this year.

“Having started in the League of Ireland and then gone to Hull and made his way into the first team very quickly, it shows he’s a defender with substance considering how aggressively Hull pushed for promotion last season. To have that sort of responsibility at such a young age, and to have that freshness within the set-up at Hull shows that he’s got wonderful potential. He’s got pace, he can read the game well and he loves to defend.”

Andy Dawson, head of player development at Hull City, commented: “Cathal joined us in February 2025, and within two weeks he knew just about everyone at the club! He’s a bubbly character.

“He’s a great young player with plenty of potential. We wanted to make sure he got a loan move that was right for him amid hefty interest, and we’re confident that Kilmarnock will be exactly that. He’ll get the chance to play in important games and thrive in a highly competitive first team environment. He’s highly regarded by everyone, and we’re feeling positive about this next step in his career.

“It’s a move which suits all parties. Cathal will get to play football, it’ll help us at Hull when we get him back further down the line in terms of his readiness to play at a top level, and Kilmarnock get the benefits of utilising a fantastic young player.”

Cathal will wear the number four shirt during his time in Ayrshire.