TRANSFER NEWS: Hull have completed the signing of Kevin Kilbane from Wigan for an undisclosed fee and the 31-year-old might not be the only Republic of Ireland international plying his trade at the KC Stadium this year, with Espanyol defender Steve Finnan reportedly undergoing a medical. Liam Miller, meanwhile, has completed a move from Sunderland to QPR.
Kilbane, whose opportunities at the JJB Stadium have been limited by the emergence of Honduran Maynor Figueroa, has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal after passing a medical and could make his debut in Saturday's league clash against Arsenal.
The former Preston, Sunderland, Everton and West Brom player will help bring balance to Hull's troublesome left side. Brown had hoped to further bolster his options on the left with West Ham's Luis Boa Morte but the former Portugal international has rejected the move after failing to agree personal terms.
Brown spoke with Sunderland about bringing in Paul McShane permanently, after a successful loan spell for the Wicklow man, but Ricky Sbragia's insistence on holding on to the Ireland international triggered interest in Finnan.
McShane admitted today the chatter had been a bit of a distraction. “It has been talked about over the last month or so, so it has always been in the back of my mind,” he said. “I have enjoyed my time at Hull and I will miss it. But Sunderland are my club and I will go back there, train away and try to get back in the side.”
Like Kilbane, Finnan would bring experience, this time on the right-hand side, but Espanyol have been reluctant to let the former Liverpool player go, despite interest from Tottenham and Blackburn Rovers.
Reports today, however, claim the Barcelona club have been won over by Hull's offer of around €1.5million for the full-back and the Limerick-born defender is believed to be in Hull this evening for a medical.
Finnan made the move to Spain at the start of the season for around €2million but has only featured four times for his new side because of injury. Espanyol said on Tuesday the defender is back in training after making a full recovery.
Kilbane, who made 84 appearances for Wigan after moving to the JJB Stadium in 2006, today told the club's website: "I want to thank everybody at Wigan. I have really enjoyed my time here, and the club is definitely moving in the right direction. I'd also like to thank the Wigan fans who have always been very supportive."
Manager Steve Bruce also paid tribute to " a very experienced squad member...and a true professional in every sense."
Brown spoke of his admiration for Kilbane after last night's 1-0 victory over Newcastle in an FA Cup third-round replay.
"He is 31 years old; he has got 90-odd internationals," he said. "He has been a credit to the game at the highest level. That kind of experience is priceless to us at the moment."
Hull also made an approach for Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead, but again, Sbragia has no intention of selling. "Dean won't be going anywhere - it's as simple as that," he said.
Roy Keane's successor also insists striker Kenwyne Jones will not be heading to Spurs.
"As far as I am concerned, there is no price because I need him - I need all the players I can get," said the Scot. "If I go and sell my best players, I would be better walking, I would be better going out of the door, it's as simple as that.
"I came into the job to try to keep Sunderland up and try to move up the table, and there's one thing I won't do, sell my players."
QPRsigned midfielder
Millerfor an undisclosed fee this afternoon. The 27-year-old Ireland international has put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season and could go straight into the squad which travels to Derby on Saturday.
"It's a great move for me. The club is definitely heading in the right direction and when you look around the squad you can see the quality on offer," Miller told the club's official website.
QPR boss Paulo Sousa added: "Liam is an international midfielder and will give us great options in that area of the pitch. He's an energetic, box-to-box player who will complement the already positive options we have in the midfield department."
Miller began his career at Celtic and had a spell with Manchester United before joining Leeds on loan. He made 60 appearances for Sunderland after moving to the Stadium of Light in the summer of 2006.
The move is thought to have come about after Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni recommended Miller to QPR owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.
