Hull seal Stelios deal

Hull City have confirmed the capture of Greek midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos on a free transfer.

The experienced wide man has been without a club since leaving Bolton in the summer but has now linked up with Phil Brown, who he worked with previously during their time together at Bolton.

Brown has been engaged in discussions with the 34-year-old over the past couple of days and has now successfully thrashed out terms.

Giannakopoulos has been eager to find a club as he is well aware that playing time is needed if he is to stand any chance of earning a place in Greece's World Cup 2010 squad, should they qualify.

Following Craig Fagan's leg break earlier in the month, Brown has been eager to add a right-sided player to his ranks and has succeeded with the acquisition of Stelios until the end of the season.

Dream come true

"I'm very, very pleased to be a Hull City player," Stelios told the club's official website.

"My main target and my dream was to stay in England and to stay in the Premier League and Hull City have given me the chance to make my dream come true.

"I am not new to the Premier League. I have been playing in this division for the last five years with Bolton, but I have come to Hull City to make a new start and take another step in my career.

"I have ambitions and I have dreams. I want to help Hull City with all of the strength that I have.

"Myself and the gaffer have known each other ever since I arrived in England and we have a very good relationship.

"At this point, I would like to thank the gaffer and the chairman for offering me this deal. If those two were not here, maybe I wouldn't have signed."