Source: Eurosport
World Cup incentive for Tigers frontman
Hull's new signing Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink believes he has found the perfect springboard from which to launch a bid for a place at next year's World Cup.[LNB] The Dutch striker, available as a free agent after his contract at Celtic expired in the summer, signed a two-year deal with Tigers on Thursday. The 30-year-old now hopes to excel in the Barclays Premier League and reclaim his place in the Holland national side in time for South Africa 2010.[LNB] "I want to play at the next World Cup," said Vennegoor of Hesselink, who has been training at one of his former clubs, Steve McClaren's FC Twente, in recent weeks. "If I'm playing club games, that will give me the opportunity to get back into the Dutch squad."[LNB] With Holland having already qualified for the tournament, there is plenty of incentive and Vennegoor of Hesselink is anxious to get started.[LNB] "Just before the summer, I was in the squad so I hope the national manager [Bert van Marwijk] will select me when I start playing games again," he added. "For that to happen, I know I will have to be playing well for Hull City."[LNB] Along with fellow new signings Kamel Ghilas and Jozy Altidore, Vennegoor of Hesselink's arrival ends Hull manager Phil Brown's long search for new strikers. Brown identified a lack of firepower as one of his side's weaknesses last season and has spent the summer trying to recruit forwards.[LNB] Vennegoor of Hesselink has a strong reputation having played in the Champions League for PSV Eindhoven and Celtic and won domestic titles with both clubs. His three seasons at Parkhead yielded 44 goals from 108 appearances and he now hopes to add to his five in 27 for Holland.[LNB] Being unattached, Vennegoor of Hesselink was not subject to the usual transfer window restrictions. Hull managed to sign just Ibrahima Sonko on loan from Stoke on deadline day earlier in the week but boss Phil Brown was never concerned by the lack of activity.[LNB] "When the transfer deadline came on Tuesday, we always knew we had one or two irons in the fire after 5pm," said Brown.[LNB] In an additional piece of good news for the club, goalkeeper Boaz Myhill on Thursday signed a new three-year contract. The 26-year-old Wales international, who joined City for £50,000 from Aston Villa in 2003, has played in all four professional divisions with the club.
