Hull City

Hull City
Hull duo sign contract extensions Striker Ben Burgess and defender Leon Cort have signed two-year extensions to their contracts with Hull City. Burgess, 23, missed all but the final two games this season because of a knee injury, but Cort, 25, was ever-present for the promotion-winning Tigers. "I am thankful to the club for standing by me and I hope I can repay the manager's faith," Burgess said. "It's been my most consistent season, though playing in a good side helps," Cort told the Stellar Group website.

Woodhouse completes Hull switch
Hull City have signed Peterborough United midfielder Curtis Woodhouse on a two-year deal with an option for an additional year. The Tigers have agreed an initial fee of £25,000 for the 24-year-old which may increase depending on appearances. Hull chairman Adam Pearson told the club website: "We are delighted to make our first signing of the summer. "His determination to play for Hull ahead of many other alternatives meant we have signed a very good player."

Tigers bring in McPhee up front
Hull have signed ex-Port Vale striker Stephen McPhee from Portuguese side SC Beira Mar in a £220,000 deal. The 23-year-old Scottish international had "no hesitation" in signing a two-year deal to join the Tigers. "A number of big clubs showed an interest, in Portugal and England," he told the Stellar Group website. "But once I had spoken to Peter Taylor at Hull, I knew it was too good an opportunity to turn down. Their plans for next season are fantastic." McPhee moved to Portugal from Vale on a free transfer at the start of the season and scored five goals in 21 Super Liga starts. However, he was unable to save them from relegation and is now focused on helping Hull reach the Premiership. "The club is determined not just to make up the numbers in the Championship, but to launch a serious challenge for a place in the Premiership," he added. "I shall be doing my utmost to score the goals we need. I want to have a nice break to recharge the batteries and then come back ready for a good pre-season."

Ashbee signs new Hull contract
Hull captain Ian Ashbee has agreed a new 12-month extension to his contract at the KC Stadium. The 28-year-old's existing deal was due to expire at the end of next season but he will now stay until summer 2007. "Ian has done a fantastic job on and off the pitch so this is his reward for his excellent service to this football club," explained chairman Adam Pearson. "We're delighted to keep him and look forward to seeing him lead the team out at the start of the new season."

Price extends his Hull contract
Hull City midfielder Jason Price has agreed a new one-year contract extension at the KC Stadium. The 28-year-old former Wales Under-21 international has taken up an option within his current contract to stay with the Tigers. "I'm happy to be staying with the club and am looking forward to testing myself in the Championship," he said. "I've never been lucky enough to play League football at that level and will hopefully get the chance next season."

Hull swoop for Wolves midfielder
Hull manager Peter Taylor has swooped to sign Wolves midfielder Keith Andrews on a two-year contract. The 24-year-old was offered a new deal to stay at Molineux but has turned that down to join the Tigers as they prepare for life in the Championship. "I'm delighted, he'll be an important player. He's a strong, good passing midfield player who uses his voice well on the pitch," Taylor said. "He has good experience at Championship level," Taylor told the Hull website. "I understand that it will be difficult for him to leave Wolves as it is such a big club. But we're looking forward to having him here."

Andrews aims for the top at Hull
Keith Andrews has set his sights on the Premiership after signing a two-year deal with Championship new-boys Hull. "Any newly-promoted team should be looking to stay up the following season and that first and foremost should be our aim," he told the club's website. "Hopefully we can cement ourselves in the division and push on from there. "The Premiership is the place every footballer should aspire to play and I'm no different - it would be great to do that down the line with Hull." The 24-year-old midfielder opted for Hull over Wolves and another Championship side. "I was offered a new contract at Wolves, but once I'd met Peter Taylor I knew I had to go to Hull," he added. "Glenn Hoddle liked me as a player and was keen for me to re-sign, but the prospect of joining Hull was just too good to refuse. "I had another Championship club wanting to sign me but I just told my agent to get the deal done with Hull. "The strength of my game is my passing and I hope I can act as a link from the defenders to the attackers. I can also help with leadership and calmness."

Hull fail to sign Daggers striker
Hull City have failed to reach a deal with Conference club Dagenham and Redbridge for striker Chris Moore. The Tigers made an approach to the Daggers for the 25-year-old, who scored 21 times last season. However, Dagenham have confirmed that talks over a possible move have reached an end without a firm bid from Peter Taylor's side. Moore has scored 31 goals in 60 games since joining Dagenham from local side Northwood in November 2003.

Hull sign Portuguese keeper Leite
Hull have agreed a one-year deal with Portuguese goalkeeper Sergio Leite. The 25-year-old, who was last with Portuguese Second Division side Ovarense, has the option of two more years if he shines at the KC Stadium. Leite spent one year at Charlton between 2003-4, and was due to join Hull last summer before a late hitch. But boss Peter Taylor kept in touch with him and the shot-stopper will officially join once he receives international clearance in July.

Defender Lynch seals move to Hull
Sunderland's 23-year-old defender Mark Lynch has joined Championship newcomers Hull on a free transfer. The former Manchester United full-back made 11 senior appearances last season. "I've spoken to the manager here on a number of ocasions and it's a club going in the right direction," Lynch told Hull's official website. "Things look good for next season and I want to be part of it. It was a great year at Sunderland and hopefully that's something I can match at Hull."

Hull boss rules out Halford move
Hull City boss Peter Taylor has ruled out making a move for Colchester star Greg Halford, but says there is plenty of interest in the young utility man. As England Under-20 boss, Taylor worked with the 20-year-old in this month's Toulon tournament in France. "We could not afford him now because of his England call-up," Taylor told the Hull Daily Mail. "From what I'm hearing there are four Premiership teams looking at him, so we have probably missed out on that one."

Forest complete Southall signing
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Gillingham midfielder Nicky Southall on a two-year contract. The 33-year-old rejected the Gills' offer of a new deal and opted instead to join their League One rivals. "There was interest from Championship clubs but when I knew Forest wanted me, that was that," said Southall. "Forest has a great history and I'm looking forward to being part of their future. It's a fresh start and playing for Gary Megson is an attraction."

Hull move on after Duffy failure
Hull boss Peter Taylor has switch sights and is looking for a centre-half after failing a deal to sign Falkirk striker Darryl Duffy. The Championship club failed with a bid for the 21-year-old and have now decided against signing a striker. "I'm happy with what we've got in terms of strikers and do not envisage bringing in any more," said Taylor. "A new centre-half is now my priority and that should be the last signing we make before the start of the season." The news will come as a relief to Falkirk, who have always maintained they did not want to sell Duffy. Falkirk player-manager John Hughes said: "We have received a concrete offer, but it didn't meet our valuation and Darryl accepts that. "The interest is ongoing, but I have met with Darryl and he is totally committed to Falkirk. "He has a year of his contract left and we want him to sign a new one. "But, if he did move, I suppose it would allow us to bring two or three more players in." Duffy has scored 24 goals in 45 appearances for Falkirk since arriving from Rangers in June 2004. He had made just three first-team appearances for the Scottish champions, all as a substitute in 2003. Meanwhile, Hughes admitted that it had been frustrating missing out on defender Lee Bullen, who is to remain at Sheffield Wednesday, and winger Jamie Smith, who moved to Aberdeen. "But we have brought in five players so far," he added.

Hull ponder making Heath signing
Former Leicester boss Peter Taylor says that he has not yet decided whether to step up his efforts to take Foxes defender Matt Heath to Hull City. Taylor told BBC Sport: "We have had good discussions with Leicester and both sides will now have to think about making a decision. "I am now weighing up the cost and whether signing him would be right for the squad." Heath, 24, signed a professional contract with the Foxes in August 2001.

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