Joe Gelhardt: Player Profile
Joe Gelhardt has emerged as one of the most exciting forwards in the Championship this season at Hull City. Born in Liverpool but raised in Netherton, Merseyside, the striker has rediscovered his goalscoring touch on loan from Leeds United, leading the line for the Tigers and proving he’s ready to make the step up to regular first-team football. Remarkably for a lad from Netherton, he appears to be spending considerably less time in the Aintree bar at the Park Hotel than the author – though whether he’s frequenting the Bungalow chip shop remains unconfirmed.
Player Profile
J. Gelhardt
Hull City
Attacker
| Nationality | England |
| Age | 23 |
| Height | 175 |
| Weight | 65 |
Season Statistics
Joe Gelhardt has been instrumental to Hull City’s Championship campaign this season, establishing himself as the club’s leading marksman and one of the division’s most potent attacking threats.
J. Gelhardt
Hull City • Attacker
Recent Form
Here’s how Joe Gelhardt has performed in recent matches:
J. Gelhardt – Recent Form
Hull City
| Date | Opponent | Result | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 2026 | Preston (A) | W 3-0 | 0 | 0 | 6.7 |
| 05 Dec 2025 | Middlesbrough (H) | L 1-4 | 1 | 0 | 6.9 |
| 29 Nov 2025 | Stoke City (A) | W 2-1 | 1 | 0 | 7.3 |
| 25 Nov 2025 | Ipswich (H) | L 0-2 | 0 | 0 | 6.7 |
| 22 Nov 2025 | QPR (A) | L 2-3 | 1 | 0 | 7.3 |
| 08 Nov 2025 | Portsmouth (H) | W 3-2 | 1 | 1 | 8.9 |
📈 Form Analysis
Gelhardt’s statistics this season tell the story of a player hitting his stride at the perfect time. With 10 goals across all competitions and Hull’s top scorer tag secured, he’s demonstrating the clinical finishing and intelligent movement that made Leeds United pay serious money for him. His goals-per-90 ratio of 0.56 places him among the Championship’s elite forwards, while his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) of 6.31 puts him in the top 99th percentile of Championship players – meaning he’s both getting into excellent positions and converting them efficiently. The numbers suggest this isn’t a purple patch but rather sustained, high-quality attacking output.
Playing Style
⚽ Style of Play
Gelhardt is a modern centre-forward who combines traditional number nine qualities with contemporary pressing and link-up play. At 5’10” (179cm), he’s not the tallest striker but compensates with exceptional movement, technical ability, and football intelligence. His left foot is his favoured, though he’s comfortable finishing with both feet. What sets Gelhardt apart is his ability to play with his back to goal, bringing teammates into play with clever layoffs and quick combinations, while also making runs in behind to exploit space. He’s nimble, agile, and possesses surprising pace when breaking away from defenders. His pressing from the front is relentless – a trait that endeared him to Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds – and he’s constantly looking to disrupt opposition build-up play. In Hull’s system, he operates as the focal point of the attack, dropping deep to create space for wide runners while also being the primary target for crosses and through balls.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
✅ Strengths
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⚠️ Areas to Improve
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Career History
📅 Career Timeline
- 2013-2020 – Wigan Athletic (Youth & First Team)
Joined the Latics academy aged 10 and progressed through the ranks, making his professional debut in August 2018 at just 16 years old. Scored against Hull City (ironically!) in September 2019 before catching the eye of bigger clubs. - 2020-Present – Leeds United
Signed for Leeds United in summer 2020, breaking into Marcelo Bielsa’s first team and becoming a cult hero with crucial goals including a dramatic 94th-minute winner against Norwich City in March 2022. Limited opportunities under subsequent managers saw him seek game time elsewhere. - Jan-May 2023 – Sunderland (Loan)
Joined promotion-chasing Sunderland on loan, scoring in a 2-1 defeat to Rotherham and gaining valuable Championship experience. - Jan-May 2025 – Hull City (First Loan Spell)
Initial loan move to Hull in January 2025, making an immediate impact with a goal on his full debut against QPR. - Aug 2025-Present – Hull City (Season-Long Loan)
Returned to Hull on a season-long loan deal in August 2025 and has exploded into life as the Tigers’ leading scorer with 10 goals across all competitions.
Gelhardt’s journey from Netherton schoolboy to Championship sharpshooter is a testament to his talent and determination. Growing up in Netherton and attending Chesterfield High School, he joined Wigan’s academy at age 10 in 2013. His rapid progress through the youth ranks saw him make his professional debut at just 16, becoming one of Wigan’s youngest-ever players. Despite Wigan’s financial troubles, Gelhardt’s performances – including that goal against Hull City in 2019 – attracted attention from Premier League Leeds United, who secured his signature in 2020. At Elland Road, he showed flashes of brilliance under Bielsa, with his late winner against Norwich becoming an iconic moment in Leeds’ Premier League survival battle. However, managerial changes and squad depth limited his opportunities, leading to loan spells where he could develop with regular football. The move to Hull has proven transformational – he’s finally getting the consistent game time needed to showcase his undoubted ability.
International Career
🌍 England Youth International
Age Groups: England U17, U18, U19, U20, U21
Notable Achievements: Prolific record at youth level with multiple goals across all age groups
Tournament Experience: Represented England at 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championships, scoring against Sweden
Gelhardt has been a regular feature in England’s youth setup since 2018, showcasing his goalscoring prowess at every level. His performances at U17 level were particularly impressive – he scored twice against Norway, netted against Belgium, the United States, and bagged a brace against Russia in 2018. He confirmed England’s qualification for the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship with a goal in a 3-2 win over Denmark, before scoring in the tournament itself against Sweden. His international pedigree demonstrates that he’s been earmarked as a talent from a young age, though he’s yet to break into the senior England setup – something that this Hull form could change.
What the Manager Says
Sergej Jakirović (Hull City Manager): “Joe is exactly the type of striker we need. He works incredibly hard for the team, his movement is exceptional, and when he gets chances, he takes them. His understanding of how we want to play has been excellent from day one.”
Key Moments
⭐ Memorable Moments
- Professional Debut at 16 (August 2018): Became one of Wigan’s youngest-ever players when appearing as a substitute in the EFL Cup against Rotherham at just 16 years old.
- First Senior Goal vs Hull (September 2019): Ironically scored his first professional goal against the club he’d later join, netting in a 2-2 draw for Wigan.
- Norwich Heroics (March 2022): Scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner for Leeds United against Norwich City at Elland Road – a goal that became crucial in Leeds’ survival battle and cemented his cult hero status.
- Hull Debut Goal (January 2025): Marked his full Hull debut with a goal against QPR, immediately endearing himself to the Tigers faithful.
- Becoming Hull’s Top Scorer (2025/26 season): Established himself as the club’s leading marksman with 10 goals, finally getting the consistent run of games his talent deserves.
Fan Verdict
💥 What the Fans Think
Hull City supporters have taken Gelhardt to their hearts this season. His work rate, goal threat, and willingness to put his body on the line have made him an instant fan favourite at the MKM Stadium. Leeds United fans remain fond of him for that unforgettable Norwich winner, while Wigan supporters remember the local lad who broke through their academy. There’s a growing clamour among Hull fans to make the loan move permanent – something that would require significant investment given his pedigree and current form. The consensus is clear: when he’s confident and playing regularly, Gelhardt is a Championship-quality striker who could even make the step up to the Premier League with the right development.
Fan Rating: 8.5/10
Contract Situation
📝 Contract Details
Current Club: Leeds United (on loan at Hull City)
Loan Expires: June 2026
Leeds Contract Expires: June 2026
Estimated Value: £3.00m
Transfer Status: Season-long loan with Hull showing strong interest in permanent deal
Gelhardt’s current loan at Hull runs until the end of the 2025/26 season, with his Leeds United contract also expiring in June 2026. This puts him in an interesting position – if he continues his current goalscoring form, Hull will be desperate to secure his services permanently, while Leeds may reassess whether they want to keep him given their own squad needs. His market value is currently estimated at £3 million, though his performances this season suggest that figure could rise significantly. With his contract entering its final year at Elland Road and limited opportunities under Daniel Farke, a permanent move to Hull – or another Championship club willing to guarantee first-team football – seems the most likely outcome. The Tigers’ fans are already dreaming of keeping their Netherton-raised goal machine goal beyond this season.
The Netherton Connection
🏠 Local Hero
Growing up in Netherton, Merseyside, Gelhardt is one of the area’s most successful footballing exports. A Liverpool supporter as a boy, he came through the grassroots football system in the area before Wigan snapped him up at age 10. While the author of this profile can’t confirm whether Gelhardt has been spotted in the Aintree bar at the Park Hotel or queuing at the Bungalow chip shop, we can confirm he’s definitely spending more time scoring goals in the Championship than frequenting local haunts – a work ethic that’s paying serious dividends for Hull City. His success serves as inspiration for young footballers across Netherton and the wider Merseyside area, proving that talent, hard work, and determination can take you from local parks to professional football’s upper echelons.
Looking Ahead
The next few months are crucial for Gelhardt’s career trajectory. If he maintains his current scoring rate, he’ll finish the season with around 25+ goals across all competitions – the kind of return that attracts serious attention from Premier League clubs and cements permanent transfer interest from Hull. His immediate focus will be helping the Tigers push for a playoff place, with his goals potentially the difference between mid-table mediocrity and a genuine promotion challenge. Beyond this season, decisions loom: does he return to Leeds to fight for his place? Does Hull make the move permanent? Or does another club swoop in for a striker finally fulfilling his undoubted potential? Whatever happens, Gelhardt has proven this season that he belongs at this level and can be the main man leading the line for an ambitious Championship club.
Hull City’s Next Matches
Hull City – Upcoming League Fixtures
| Date | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan 2026 | Hull City | Swansea |
| 31 Jan 2026 | Blackburn | Hull City |
| 03 Feb 2026 | Hull City | Watford |
Verdict
📊 Overall Assessment
Joe Gelhardt is a player finally living up to the immense potential that saw Leeds United invest in him as a teenager. His loan spell at Hull City has provided the platform he desperately needed – regular first-team football, a manager who trusts him, and a system that plays to his strengths. At 23, he’s entering his prime years and his statistics this season (10 goals, top 99th percentile for npxG, Hull’s leading scorer) demonstrate that he’s ready to be a Championship regular rather than a Premier League fringe player. The intelligent movement, clinical finishing, and relentless work rate that made him a prospect are all flourishing with consistent game time. While there are still areas to develop – particularly his aerial game and physical presence – Gelhardt has all the tools to become one of the Championship’s elite forwards. For a lad from Netherton who’s travelled via Wigan and Leeds to find his home at Hull, this season represents a career-defining opportunity. If he continues at this rate, don’t be surprised to see him back in the Premier League sooner rather than later – this time as a regular starter rather than a promising youngster waiting for his chance.
Player Rating: 8/10
