A defensive calamity appeared to have ruined Premier League newcomers Hull City's early season aspirations when new record signing Anthony Gardner was ruled out with a long-term injury.

With minimal central defensive cover, manager Phil Brown moved swiftly into the transfer market and snapped up the relatively unknown Kamil from Young Boys of Berne on loan shortly before the Transfer Window closed.

It later emerged that, earlier in the summer, the Guinea international had been on the verge of a move to Everton but terms could not be agreed.

Also, in the week before his move to the KC Stadium, he had been training with Newcastle United with Toon boss Kevin Keegan keen to conclude a deal.

Their loss proved to be the Tigers' gain as Kamil instantly developed an outstanding centre-back partnership with Michael Turner as City enjoyed a tremendous introduction to their first-ever season of top flight football.

Fearless in the tackle and composed on the ball, he can also play at right-back or in centre of midfield, the latter being the role he often fills for his country.

Having thoroughly impressed in his early months in East Yorkshire, a permanent move was duly agreed during the January Transfer Window.

Kamil had left Guinea as a 15 year-old and soon joined RC Lens where he became a colleague of fellow Tiger Daniel Cousin.

KAMIL ZAYATTE'S FULL INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES WHILST WITH HULL CITY
Total up to 30 November 2009: 10 caps
06.09.2008 A v Zimbabwe in Harare (World Cup Qualifier)
12.10.2008 H v Kenya in Conakry (World Cup Qualifier)
18.11.2008 N v Gabon in Paris (Friendly)
11.02.2009 N v Cameroon in Paris (Friendly)
28.03.2009 A v Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou (World Cup Qualifier)
07.06.2009 H v Ivory Coast in Conakry (World Cup Qualifier))
21.06.2009 H v Malawi in Conakry (World Cup Qualifier)
05.09.2009 A v Malawi in Blantyre (World Cup Qualifier)
11.10.2009 H v Burkina Faso in Accra, Ghana (World Cup Qualifier)
14.11.2009 A v Ivory Coast in Abidjan (World Cup Qualifier)