King completes Tigers move

Striker joins Hull on loan

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 14th August 2008

Marlon King

King: On the move

Marlon King has joined Premier League new-boys Hull City on a season-long loan deal from Wigan Athletic.

The Tigers had been chasing the Jamaica international for some time, eager to bolster their attacking options ahead of their first taste of top-flight action.

They have opted for a man with an impressive goalscoring record outside the Premier League, although King is yet to find his feet among England's elite.

The striker enjoyed considerable success at former club Watford, but struggled for form after making a big-money switch to Wigan in January.

The 28-year-old hit-man will be looking to rediscover his sharpness at the KC Stadium and will be hoping to fire Phil Brown's men to safety.

He will, however, be unavailable for Hull's league clashes with his parent club.

Impact

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has refused to rule out the possibility of King making a return to the JJB Stadium in the future, and hopes the loan move will help to bring out the best in the talented front-man.

"We wish Marlon all the best," Bruce told the Latics' official website.

"He is a good pro and he made an excellent contribution last season.

"He has worked hard in pre-season and has made an impact, but he has chosen to move on for the time being."

Goalscorer

Tigers boss Brown added: "I am more than pleased. We had a training session this morning and the missing link up front was there.

"Hopefully Marlon plugs that gap. Not being disrespectful to the players that we have, but he brings something different. He runs the channels, he gets behind, he is strong, he brings others into the play.

"We have watched him three or four times in pre-season friendlies and you can see the fire in his belly had gone, with regards to the move from Watford to Wigan. Hopefully I can rekindle that fire.

"I want players with points to prove and Marlon wants to prove he is a Premier League goalscorer."