Hull City close to signing Australia teenager Lucas Harrington from Colorado Rapids

Hull City are close to completing a deal for Australia defender Lucas Harrington from Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids, according to The Athletic.

The 18-year-old, who represented Australia at the 2026 World Cup, is expected to join the newly promoted Premier League club for an initial fee of $17m (£13.2m), with a further $6m in potential bonuses and a 15% sell-on clause.

Harrington has not yet reached a final agreement over personal terms, but those discussions are not expected to prevent the transfer from being completed.

The defender attracted significant attention during the World Cup, particularly for his performances in the group stage. However, he missed Australia’s fourth penalty in their last-32 shootout against Egypt last month.

Egypt won 4-2 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 following 120 minutes, securing a place in the last 16.

Australia manager Tony Popovic was criticised by some for asking Harrington to take such an important penalty at the age of 18. Popovic defended his decision afterwards, saying: “It’s easy to talk after the event. It would have been a different conversation if he had scored. Then you would have said, ‘What a wonderful story it is for an 18-year-old player to step up and score his penalty’.”

He added: “He played in the last two matches at the age of 18. If I didn’t trust him, I wouldn’t have played him. Against Paraguay, he cleared the ball off the line, so what is the difference with a penalty?”

Harrington joined Colorado Rapids in 2026 on a contract running until 2029, with the option of an additional season. He has made 17 league appearances for the club.

His performances at international level, particularly during the group phase of the World Cup, helped establish him as one of the tournament’s emerging young players. He had previously been linked with moves to Barcelona and Liverpool.

Hull City returned to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016-17 season and are continuing to reshape their squad ahead of their top-flight campaign.

Harrington would become the Tigers’ fourth signing of the summer, following goalkeeper Jack Butland, Japan international Hidemasa Morita and former Newcastle United defender Matt Targett.

Hull begin their Premier League season at home to Manchester United on 22 August.

The club have also been preparing through a series of friendly matches. They have beaten Konyaspor and Caykur Rizespor, while drawing with Turkish side Kasımpasa.