Lucas Herrington started in the Premier League for the first time as Hull City’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end on Sunday (AEST).
Socceroos teenager Herrington was in the starting XI for high-flying Hull, who went down 2-1 away to Newcastle United after four matches without defeat to begin 2026-27.
The 19-year-old centre-back, who arrived from MLS outfit Colorado Rapids in a $33million AUD transfer at the start of the season, had made cameos off the bench in the Premier League before earning a place in the line-up with Nobel Mendy injured.
Herrington was one of Hull’s best performers at St James’ Park, where the highly-rated Australia international was the team’s highest-rated defender via Sofascore with a 6.6 rating.
He led Hull for accurate passes (47/51, 92%), while he was second among his teammates for aerial duels won. Herrington had eight defensive contributions, five clearances, five recoveries, 63 touches, nine carries and a 93% passing accuracy in his own half.
Before the match, Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic explained why he had no fear throwing Herrington into the starting XI for a Premier League fixture.
“When I spoke for the first time with him, I saw immediately how mature he is, no matter that he’s born in 2007,” said coach Jakirovic. “It’s unbelievable.
“You see he has leadership inside.
“He’s speaking all the time on the pitch, no matter who is in front of him – Crooksy (Matt Crooks), (Regan) Slater, Lewie Coyle, (John) Egan. He also tries to lead them, which is perfect and I don’t have any fear when he’s playing there.
“I’m very comfortable (starting him on Saturday) and we have also Paddy McNair there. He is now healthy, he had some problems with his feet but now everything is good.
“Mendy is a first XI player, he’s a very important member of this squad, but we have (other) players and this is also a great chance for him (Herrington).
“He already showed he can compete at this level.”
