Billy Sharp: Hull City signing says he came close to joining last summer

Billy Sharp netted six goals in 12 appearances for LA Galaxy

Hull City's January signing Billy Sharp says he came close to joining the Championship club last summer, before moving to MLS side LA Galaxy on a short-term contract.

The former Sheffield United striker joined Hull on 1 January, less than five months after moving to America.

Despite enjoying his time stateside, the 37-year-old says he had "wanted" the move to East Yorkshire instead.

"It nearly happened in the summer," Sharp told BBC Radio Humberside.

"I spoke to the manager [Liam Rosenior] then. I like how his teams play, I wanted to join in the summer. It didn't materialise, but LA [Galaxy] did.

"That sometimes happens in football, which I was a little bit gutted with because the opportunity was something that excited me more than the other opportunities that I had."

Hull officially confirmed the signing of Sharp on 20 December, but Sharp, who during his career has scored 255 goals in 642 league appearances, has had to wait to be registered for his debut.

Now available for selection, Sharp could make his first appearance for the club in Saturday's third-round FA Cup tie with Birmingham.

"The manager and I have a plan of how we need to go about it because I'm sort of in my pre-season, I haven't had many minutes since October.

"I'd love to start and play 90 minutes, but the manager will decide on what he thinks is best for the team, and for myself. I'm sure I am going to make my debut and I'm really looking forward to it."

Bouncing back from LA disappointment

When Sharp signed for Galaxy there was an option to extend his stay past the end of 2023, but the club decided not to take up the offer, ending his stint in the MLS after just 12 appearances.

Despite having limited time Sharp made an impact across the Atlantic, netting six times, but the striker is none the wiser as to why the American side did not decide to keep him.

He said: "This is why it's been tough, the disappointment with Sheffield United, then to take my family over there [to LA], to nearly commit to a house for 12 months.

"I was due to fly back and I was told two days before we flew back that the offer wouldn't be there - I still haven't found out why.

"I jumped into the challenge, I embraced it. I wanted to go over there and make a positive impact because people thought 'he's on his way out, this could be the end'. Maybe if I had got 12 more months it might have been my last season."

Although Sharp felt he had more to give at LA Galaxy, he is keen not to dwell on the past, and to make an impact in black and amber.

"[Galaxy] was a good opportunity for me as well, that I enjoyed, but I wanted to jump on board now with Hull because they're doing well. They play good football and I feel I can contribute to helping this team stay where they are, and hopefully get into the play-offs come the end of the season.

"I still want to play on next season, I want to focus on the 19 league games and what ever cup games we have left. Whenever I am called upon by the manager I am going to give it my all for Hull City."