Rotherham United are set to lose one of their attacking options, despite the Millers picking up a narrow victory against out-of-form Lincoln City as the January transfer window begins to take effect within the EFL.
During the summer transfer window, Rotherham United brought in two Championship loanees in a bid to try and cement their place as promotion-contenders going into the 2024/25 League One campaign, but for one of those individuals – their time with the Millers is set to come to an end.
As reported on X (formerly Twitter) by Rotherham Advertiser journalist Paul Davis, loanee Joseph Hungbo is set to return to German side FC Nuremberg, six months earlier than anticipated with his loan deal coming to an end.
Why hasn’t Hungbo’s Rotherham move worked out?
The 24-year-old spent last season in Germany but failed to register a goal or assist in 17 appearances in all competitions during the 2023/24 season.
He was loaned out to Rotherham United during the summer in the expectation that he could find his cutting edge in the final third, but unfortunately for all parties the move hasn’t worked out as anticipated.
Hungbo made 18 appearances across all competitions for Rotherham United so far this season, but failed to register a goal contribution. His last goal involvement came in May 20023 when he scored for Huddersfield Town in a fixture against Reading.
In his league outings, Hungbo registered just five starts, further suggesting that he didn’t do enough to leave a lasting impression on Evans hence his reported early exit.
Would the Millers need a replacement?
Given Hungbo’s lack of starts and overall first-team action, it would initially seem unlikely that the club would look at bringing another attacking option through the door – especially with Mallik Wilks staying with the club.
However, the Millers have underperformed during the first-half of the 2024/25 campaign and need a strong January window in order to form a late push for the top six. Rotherham are averaging less than a goal per game in League One thus far despite averaging 12.6 efforts per 90 minutes.
Against Lincoln, Evans used a 4-2-3-1 system with goalscorer Joe Powell and Alex MacDonald being utilised as the wide options for the Millers, though the latter was replaced by Cohen Bramall towards the end of the game.
Therefore, despite Hungbo failing to contribute to a goal, his departure does create a valid opening for Rotherham to bring in another attacking option in a bid to save their season.
Rotherham fans, how would you rate Hungbo’s time with the club and who would you target as a replacement?
