Hull City have confirmed the signing of Jan Venegoor of Hesselink on a two-year deal. The Dutchman was a free agent after leaving Celtic at the end of last season, and could therefore sign for the Tigers outside the transfer window, which closed on Tuesday.

Venegoor of Hesselink, 30, spent three years in Scotland after joining the Bhoys from PSV. Hull chairman Paul Duffen claimed the club had beaten some big clubs to land the striker.

We've definitely wanted an experienced, top-drawer striker who scores goals, and Jan has scored prolifically in top leagues in Europe.
Hull City chairman Paul Duffen on signing Jan Venegoor of Hesselink

"I'm delighted we have beaten off all the competition to bring him to the KC Stadium," he said. "We've definitely wanted an experienced, top-drawer striker who scores goals, and Jan has scored prolifically in top leagues in Europe.

"It's what we need. We didn't score enough goals last season. Going forward we have a lot of new talent and Jan will play his part in using his experience to settle them down.

"We've been looking at Jan since July and are really pleased we've turned his head. He's been looking at other big clubs in Europe but the Premier League is where he wants to come and play with us."

Hull manager Phil Brown will be relieved to have boosted the club's attacking options, after missing out on a number of targets this summer. Michael Owen, Daryl Murphy and Bobby Zamora have all rejected the chance to move to the KC Stadium recently, leaving the Tigers' squad looking a little thin up front.

Brown did manage to recruit USA forward Jozy Altidore, however, on a season-long loan from Villarreal.