Kieran Dowell: Player Profile
Kieran Dowell has joined Hull City on an 18-month permanent deal from Rangers, bringing Championship pedigree and attacking creativity to Sergej Jakirović’s promotion-chasing squad. The English attacking midfielder arrives at the MKM Stadium with a proven track record at this level, having scored 37 goals and provided 23 assists across 225 career appearances – 123 of which came in the Championship. With title-winning experience at Norwich and a knack for scoring against the Tigers in previous spells, Dowell represents an experienced addition to Hull’s playoff push.
Player Profile
K. Dowell
Rangers
Attacker
| Nationality | England |
| Age | 28 |
| Height | 183 |
| Weight | 70 |
Season Statistics
Kieran Dowell has joined Hull City during the January transfer window as the Tigers look to bolster their attacking options in their push for the Championship playoffs. Having spent the first half of the season at Rangers, he now brings his experience and creativity to a side sitting in contention for promotion.
K. Dowell
Rangers • Attacker
Recent Form
Here’s how Kieran Dowell has performed in recent matches:
- Recent Form
All Competitions
| Date | Team | League | Opponent | Result | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan 2026 | Hull City | Championship | Swansea (H) | W 2-1 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 11 Jan 2026 | Rangers | Premiership | Aberdeen (A) | W 2-0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 06 Jan 2026 | Rangers | Premiership | Aberdeen (H) | W 2-0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 30 Dec 2025 | Rangers | Premiership | ST Mirren (H) | W 2-1 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 27 Dec 2025 | Rangers | Premiership | Motherwell (H) | W 1-0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 21 Dec 2025 | Rangers | Premiership | Heart Of Midlothian (A) | L 1-2 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
📈 Form Analysis
As a new signing in January 2026, Dowell will be looking to hit the ground running at the MKM Stadium. His experience at Championship level – including a title-winning campaign at Norwich – should help him adapt quickly to Sergej Jakirović’s system. Hull fans will be hoping he can recapture the form that saw him score 10 goals in a Championship season for Nottingham Forest and contribute regularly to Norwich’s promotion-winning side.
Playing Style
⚽ Style of Play
Dowell is a versatile attacking midfielder who can operate in multiple positions across the forward line. Primarily deployed as a number 10, he possesses excellent technical ability, vision, and an eye for goal. His intelligence in finding pockets of space between the lines allows him to link play effectively, while his ability to arrive late in the box makes him a genuine goal threat. Comfortable on the ball and with good decision-making, Dowell can pick out key passes and create chances for teammates. He’s also capable of playing wide on the right or in a deeper midfield role, offering tactical flexibility to his manager. At 28, he brings maturity and Championship nous to Hull’s attacking unit.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
✅ Strengths
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⚠️ Areas to Improve
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Career History
📅 Career Timeline
- 2014-2020 – Everton FC
Academy product who made 5 first-team appearances for the Toffees - 2017-18 – Nottingham Forest (Loan)
Breakthrough season – 10 goals in 43 matches including hat-trick vs Hull City - 2018-19 – Sheffield United (Loan)
Helped the Blades finish Championship runners-up and gain promotion - 2019-20 – Derby County & Wigan Athletic (Loans)
Championship experience including another hat-trick vs Hull at Wigan - 2020-23 – Norwich City
Won Championship title in debut season, 19 Premier League appearances, 75 total games - 2023-26 – Rangers
39 appearances gaining European experience in Champions League qualifiers - 2025 – Birmingham City (Loan)
23 appearances as Blues won League One with record 111-point tally - 2026 – Hull City
Signed on 18-month permanent deal from Rangers in January 2026
The Ormskirk-born midfielder came through the ranks at Everton, where he showed glimpses of his potential in five first-team appearances for his boyhood club. However, it was during a series of Championship loan spells that Dowell truly established himself as a second-tier specialist. His career-best season came at Nottingham Forest in 2017/18, where he netted 10 goals in 43 matches – including a memorable hat-trick against Hull City that Tigers fans won’t have forgotten. The following season saw him play a key role in Sheffield United’s promotion-winning campaign as runners-up, before further Championship experience at Derby County and Wigan Athletic, where he scored another treble against Hull. Norwich City made his move permanent in July 2020, and Dowell repaid their faith by helping the Canaries lift the Championship title in his debut campaign. He featured 19 times in the Premier League and amassed 75 appearances for Norwich before moving to Rangers in summer 2023. After 39 matches at Ibrox, including Champions League qualifier experience, a loan spell at Birmingham City saw him contribute to their record-breaking League One title triumph with 23 appearances and 111 points.
International Career
🌍 England Under-21 International
Dowell represented England at Under-21 level, showcasing his talent on the international stage during his development years. While he hasn’t progressed to the senior England setup, his experience at youth international level demonstrates the high regard in which he was held as a young prospect.
In His Own Words
Kieran Dowell on joining Hull: “I’m glad to be here. I’d known about it for a little while and was on the phone to ‘Lunny’ (John Lundstram) straight away to get his thoughts and he couldn’t speak highly enough of the place. The club is doing great in the league, and I know Jared (Dublin) from Sheffield United. I’ve always had a good relationship with him over the years, so I had a good feeling about it.”
Dowell on his role: “I’m 28 now so I’ve had a lot of years in the game and a fair bit of success, so hopefully I can help the lads. There’s a really good atmosphere around the place, which I expected from what I’d heard. I can play wide off the right, as a sole number 10 and I’ve played deeper midfield, but attacking midfield is where the gaffer sees me playing.”
Key Moments
⭐ Memorable Moments
- Hat-trick vs Hull City (Nottingham Forest, 2017/18): Scored his first senior treble against the Tigers at the City Ground during his breakthrough season, netting 10 goals that campaign.
- Championship Title Winner (Norwich City, 2020/21): Played a key role in Norwich’s Championship title-winning campaign in his debut season at Carrow Road.
- Hat-trick vs Hull City (Wigan Athletic, 2019/20): Another three-goal haul against the Tigers, this time at the DW Stadium – a performance Hull fans will remember all too well.
- Sheffield United Promotion (2018/19): Contributed to the Blades’ runners-up finish and return to the Premier League during his loan spell at Bramall Lane.
- Record-Breaking Season (Birmingham City, 2023/24): Part of Birmingham’s historic League One title win with a record-breaking 111 points.
- Champions League Experience (Rangers, 2023): Gained valuable European experience playing in Champions League qualifiers at Ibrox.
Fan Verdict
👥 What the Fans Think
Hull City fans will have mixed feelings about Dowell’s arrival – while he brings Championship pedigree and title-winning experience, he’s also scored not one but TWO hat-tricks against the Tigers in previous spells! As Dowell himself acknowledged: “All anyone said to me when they heard of the interest was that I’ve scored a lot of goals against Hull City.” However, his familiarity with the MKM Stadium (“I’ve got good memories of playing here”) and connections within the squad through John Lundstram and Jared Dublin should help him settle quickly. Fans will be hoping he can replicate that goal-scoring form in amber and black rather than against them. His experience and versatility make him an exciting addition to the playoff push.
Early Fan Rating: TBC – Fans waiting to see him in action!
Contract Situation
📝 Contract Details
Contract Length: 18 months (January 2026 – June 2027)
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed permanent transfer from Rangers
Transfer Status: Permanent signing
Dowell has signed an 18-month permanent deal that will keep him at the MKM Stadium until the summer of 2026. The relatively short contract length suggests Hull see this as a move to strengthen their immediate playoff push, while also giving both parties flexibility going forward. At 28, Dowell is in the prime of his career and will be expected to make an immediate impact.
Looking Ahead
Kieran Dowell arrives at Hull City at a crucial juncture in the season, with the Tigers sitting in playoff contention and looking to strengthen their push for promotion. His Championship experience – including a title win at Norwich – could prove invaluable in the run-in, particularly given the tight nature of the race for the top six. Sergej Jakirović will be hoping Dowell’s creativity and goal threat from midfield can provide the extra attacking impetus needed to secure a playoff place. With 123 Championship appearances under his belt and a proven ability to score goals at this level (37 career goals), Dowell has all the tools to become a key player for the Tigers. His versatility to play across the attacking midfield positions also gives Sergej Jakirović tactical options, whether deploying him as a number 10, wide on the right, or in a deeper playmaking role. The immediate challenge will be adapting to his new surroundings quickly, but with familiar faces in Lundstram and Dublin already at the club, he should settle in rapidly. Hull fans will be hoping the goals he’s scored against them in the past become a regular feature – this time in their favour.
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
Kieran Dowell represents a shrewd piece of business for Hull City – an experienced Championship operator who knows what it takes to win at this level. While his spell at Rangers didn’t quite work out as planned, his pedigree in England’s second tier is undeniable. With 123 Championship appearances, a title medal from Norwich, and promotion experience from Sheffield United, he brings exactly the kind of know-how that can make the difference in a tight playoff race. His technical quality, versatility, and goal threat from midfield could prove to be crucial additions to Sergej Jakirović’s squad. The irony of signing a player who has tormented Hull with two hat-tricks won’t be lost on Tigers fans, but if he can channel that same quality in their colors, this could be an inspired January signing. At 28, he’s at peak age for a Championship player – experienced enough to handle pressure, young enough to make a real impact. If he hits the ground running, Dowell could be the difference-maker in Hull’s promotion push.
Player Rating: 7.5/10 – Experienced Championship operator with title-winning pedigree
