HULL - HULL signed Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane from Wigan on Thursday for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old Kilbane passed a medical examination and signed a 2 1/2-year contract with the Premier League newcomers.

Nicknamed 'Zinedine' by Ireland fans making the humorous comparison between him and extravagantly gifted France playmaker Zinedine Zidane, Kilbane has also played for West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Everton.

He could make his debut in Saturday's Premier League match against visiting Arsenal.

'I wanted to stay in the Premier League because you want to play as many games in the top flight as you can,' Kilbane said.

'Hopefully we can do well in the remaining months of this season and firmly establish ourselves in the Premier League.' Hull are eighth in their debut season in the Premier League, just three places below the Gunners.

Kilbane was part of the Wigan side that beat Hull 5-0 in August, but fractured his cheekbone in the match and was out of action for a month.

'Since then, I've hardly played a game,' Kilbane said. -- AP