Hull sign Bullard from Fulham

Hull have bolstered their squad by signing midfielder Jimmy Bullard from Fulham for a club record fee of five million pounds.

The 30-year-old signed a four-and-a-half-year contract at the KC Stadium on Friday after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Bullard was expected to be presented to Hull supporters before the FA Cup fourth-round clash against Millwall on Saturday but will not play in that match.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson said the west London club had no option but to sell Bullard in light of his demand for an extended contract on substantially increased wages.

“It’s too easy for fans to say the club should have done more to keep Jimmy,” Hodgson said. “People at the top of the club have to look at the wider picture every time there are wage demands or new contract demands.”

“I was rather hoping there wouldn’t be anyone else out there who would give Jimmy the package he was looking for but Hull came up with it. Now we have to prove we can be a good team without him.”

Bullard joined Fulham from Wigan in a 2.5-million-pound deal in 2006 but suffered a serious knee injury in only his fourth match for the club.

He came back from a 16-month lay off and his all-action displays earned him an England call-up at the start of this season.

The capture of Bullard followed Hull’s acquisition of Guinea defender Kamil Zayatte earlier in the day. Zayatte joined from Swiss club Young Boys of Berne.

Hull have also signed experienced midfielder Kevin Kilbane from Wigan and taken Angolan forward Manucho on loan from Manchester United in the current transfer window.