on 14 september 2006 he joined hull city in a two-month loan deal. he returned to manchester city in january and was on the verge of being sent on loan to hull city again or leeds united, but a decision was made to keep him at city. following the appointment of sven-göran eriksson as manchester city manager, mills was transfer listed. he re-joined former club charlton on a loan deal until the end of 2007.