Hull hope to capture Boateng

Pa
Monday 14 July 2008 10:05 EDT
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Hull manager Phil Brown is hoping to complete the signing of Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng by tomorrow.

The 32-year-old was due to undergo a medical today after the two clubs agreed a fee thought to be around £1m.

The Holland international will become Hull's fourth summer signing after completing deals for Craig Fagan, Geovanni and Bernard Mendy ahead of their first Barclays Premier League season.

Brown said: "George is currently in Sheffield doing a medical and, fingers crossed, in the next 24 hours hopefully we will have another international-quality player." Boateng will bring considerable top-flight experience to the promoted Tigers having spent 11 years in the Premier League with Coventry, Aston Villa and, since 2002, Boro.

He leaves the Riverside Stadium in search of more first-team opportunities and, although Brown cannot promise a regular starting slot, the manager sees him as a very welcome addition to his squad.

Brown said: "No-one guarantees you first-team football. The only thing that can guarantee you that is playing well week in, week out - and that is what I fully expect from George, but he has to get past the players who are already in the team." Brown has been highly active in the transfer market in recent weeks and is still hoping to bring in several new faces before the club's opening fixture against Fulham on 16 August.

Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell, who spent last season on loan with the club, remains the top target while recent players to be linked include former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore and Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis.

Brown admits Davis is a player that would interest him if available but he will not be taking his enquiries about Traore any further.

Traore, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, spent the latter half of last season on loan at Rennes from Portsmouth.

Brown said: "I am relishing the challenge, possibly bringing eight to 10 new players in.

"I spoke to Djimi and I was interested, but Djimi made reference to wanting to stay in France.

"He would, of course, have come to England if we were available as a second choice but I don't want that kind of attitude. I want first choice." Hull have also agreed a fee with Borussia Dortmund to sign South Africa midfielder Delron Buckley if he impresses during his current trial.

"If you brought 8-10 international-quality players in then the challenge for the existing squad is to start on the 16th of August and make sure you are still in there on May 24," added Brown.

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