Jayden Okunbor has disclosed how feelings of loneliness contributed to him performing ‘some of the worst football of his life’ during his challenging time at Hull FC last year.
Okunbor reached the MKM Stadium before the 2024 season after playing 45 NRL matches for Canterbury Bulldogs and signed a two-year contract.
However, following only eight appearances and a single try scored against Hull KR, he was released by the Airlie Birds from the rest of his contract last July.
Other international signings, Fa’amanu Brown and Franklin Pele, also left just a few months after arriving at Hull, so the Sydney native was not alone.
The 27-year-old subsequently joined Championship team Bradford on a permanent basis after a short loan spell with them and will stay at Odsal until 2025 after signing a contract extension at the conclusion of the previous season.
Having played 18 times for the Bulls so far, he has now discussed his experiences at Hull in the newest episode of Bradford teammate Ronan Michael’s ‘What’s the message?’ podcast.
In the episode named ‘Finding Happiness’, Okunbor explained: “I arrived with much enthusiasm. Having been with the Bulldogs for such an extended period, I sensed the need for a change.
Relocating to the opposite side of the globe was an adventure, and I was extremely excited.
“Traveling to Hull, I was unaware of anything in England.” I didn’t see much of the Super League.
“I arrived here alone, and some of the other guys who came from Australia had their partners, so I faced challenges right from the beginning.”
“I resided alone in the city.” A big thanks to Tex Hoy for taking care of me; he lived nearby and was the primary person who assisted me when I first relocated.
Clearly, he had a companion, and I didn’t want to intrude on their space, so I stayed at home alone.
Attending training in such weather was unfamiliar to me. “I merely felt extremely isolated.”
You perform your best in football when you feel joyful, and I certainly wasn’t feeling joyful.
In Okunbor’s brief time at Hull, he was defeated in all except one of the matches he participated in, while head coach Tony Smith was dismissed in mid-April.
FC finished second-to-last in the Super League table solely due to a superior points difference compared to London Broncos.
He went on: “The training we underwent wasn’t what I anticipated; I believed it would be slightly tougher and more intense, so I ended up losing some fitness.”
Entering the matches, I sensed I wasn’t entirely ready, and I performed some of the poorest football of my life.
“That was my fault, but I came to understand that you perform your best when you’re content, and I certainly wasn’t content.”
“That truly impacted my performance.”