With the Tigers about to launch into the great adventure of our first season in the Premier League, Phil Brown eagerly brought on board George's vast top flight know-how.

Signed on the same July day as Peter Halmosi and Tony Warner, the City boss enthused: "George brings a wealth of experience, a Dutch international, eleven years in the Premier League and that's the type of player I've been looking for to bolster the squad we've already got."

The hardworking midfielder arrived in England in December 1997 when he completed a £250,000 move to a Coventry City team under the management of Gordon Strachan.

'The Boat' more than proved his worth and by July 1999 was being transferred to Aston Villa for £4.5 million.

He went on to make 134 appearances for Villa including a FA Cup Final defeat against Chelsea in 2000 - the last Final to be played at the old Wembley Stadium.

A disagreement with manager Graham Taylor proved to be the catalyst to a £5million move to Middlesbrough in August 2002.

A pivotal figure in the crucial defensive midfield role, George recovered from an ankle operation in the summer 2003 to become part of the team (led by manager and Ex-Tiger Steve McClaren) that lifted the first major trophy in Boro's history - the Carling League Cup in 2004

By now hugely popular on Teesside, tremendous UEFA Cup experience followed as he became a key part of the Boro team that reached the UEFA Cup Final against Sevilla in Eindhoven in May 2006.

The following month, George signed a new three-year contract at the Riverside and, a month later, he was appointed the new club captain with Gareth Southgate's promotion to manager.

As the summer of 2008 approached, and with a year still left on his Boro deal, George decided it was time for a new challenge and he's found it at the KC Stadium: "I'm stepping out of my comfort zone at Middlesbrough where I've been for the past six years.

"I know what it takes to win a Premier League game and it's very hard work.

"Aside from the experience factor, I also have plenty of energy inside of me.

"I spoke to my old manager Gordon Strachan recently and, at the age of 32, he left Manchester United for Leeds United, became the captain and won the league title.

"At that age it kick-started his career in the top league and, hopefully, coming to Hull City will do the same for me.

"When I talked to Phil Brown, he reminded me of Steve McClaren. His football ideas were the same as mine, and he made me feel like he really wanted me.

"There were other clubs interested, big clubs, but what's important is that I'm going to play football for a manager that believes in me."

George's arrival in the East Riding is the latest leg of a remarkable journey that began in humble surroundings in Ghana.

He lived with his mother in Accra until the age of ten, and hadn't seen so much as a football match on TV until following his father to Holland in 1985.

George's sporting talents soon flourished and he progressed to begin his career at Excelsior.

He joined Feyenoord in 1995 and made 70 appearances for the Rotterdam club before making his move to Coventry.

Full international honours followed when made his debut for his adopted Holland as a second-half substitute for Phillip Cocu in a 1-1 draw against England in Amsterdam in February 2002.

Injury suffered at Newcastle in January disrupted George's season, but he is likely to be a key figure when he returns for the final few matches of the campaign.