Hull City boss Phil Brown has secured the services of Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane and Angolan front man Manucho. However, a failed fitness test put paid to the transfer of former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan from Spanish side Espanyol. 

 

Kilbane signed on a two-and-a-half year deal from Wigan whilst Manuhco joins the Tigers on loan for the remainder of the season from Manchester United. Brown is also still hopeful of agreeing terms with West Ham’s Luis Boa Morte although it is understood that the Portuguese internationals demands are somewhat at odds to the offer on the table.

All this in a week when George Boateng was ruled out for up to 3 months with suspected medial ligament damage.

Kilbane was out of contract at the end of the season and it made sense for Wigan to off-load him for at least a nominal return but Brown is delighted to have brought an experienced international into the fold at the KC."He is 31 years old; he has got 90-odd internationals," he said. "He has been a credit to the game at the highest level. That kind of experience is priceless to us at the moment."