Former Stoke City midfielder Ryan Woods has left Hull City on a free transfer by mutual consent, despite his initial deal not ending until next year.
Woods joined Stoke for £7m from Brentford in 2018 but spent a good chunk of the following three years away from the club on loan at Millwall under Gary Rowett, the manager who had signed him at the bet365 Stadium.
He moved to East Yorkshire in the summer of 2022 from Birmingham City but only played 27 times for the club, including just 14 Championship starts. He fell out of favour under former head coach Liam Rosenior and was loaned out to Bristol Rivers in the first half of last season.
After a fairly uneventful spell with the League One club, Woods headed to Exeter City last February. The 30-year-old made 10 starts and four substitute appearances for the Grecians.
Reflecting on his time in Devon back in early April, Woods said: “I spoke with the manager in the summer and obviously it wasn’t to be, for whatever reason. But like I said when I signed, I was delighted to be here and I think it’s a fantastic football club with a real feel-good factor. Everyone is so welcoming and the style of play really suits me and that’s been massive.
“I don’t think I have had that for a really long time now, probably a good few years, so confidence, style of play – everything is fitting into place and I feel I can really showcase the best of me again.
“I have another year left at Hull, but I am sure I will sit down at Hull and see what they want to do and what I want to do moving forwards. Then we will take it from there and see what happens.”
A City statement read: “We would like to thank Ryan for his efforts during his time for the club and wish him well for the future.”
Recalling his stint at the bet365, Woods said at the time: “When I first went in Gary Rowett was the manager, he signed me, was brilliant for me and I was captain after five games when Ryan Shawcross got injured,” he said in an interview with BirminghamLive.
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