Dream Hull City deal is my big shot, says Eldin Jakupovic

ELDIN Jakupovic has spoken of his relief at finally joining Hull City after fears his "dream" move to the KC Stadium had been left in tatters.

Jakupovic became the first permanent recruit of Steve Bruce's reign when signing a two-year deal on Monday, joining Manchester United loanee Ben Amos to form the Tigers' new-look goalkeeping duo.

It ends an uncertain period for Jakupovic, who had initially expected to sign on a free transfer at the end of last season following a successful trial period with City.

The exit of former boss Nick Barmby quickly put the deal on ice and forced the Switzerland international to explore other options over the summer, including a trial period with Championship rivals Ipswich Town.

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The prospect of joining City was only resurrected by Bruce last week and Jakupovic admits he is thrilled to have made his long-awaited move to English football.

"This was my dream and my wish to come here to play in England," Jakupovic told the Mail at City's training camp in Portugal.

"When I came here for a trial last season, everything went okay and I expected to sign before the final game with West Ham.

"That didn't happen so I went on my holidays and then I started to get a little bit nervous because nobody called me.

"I was scared because at first everything was okay. I was nervous but I always tried not to show it to my family. Last week came the call that they wanted me for sure and finally I am really happy to sign here."

Jakupovic has arrived at the KC Stadium with a colourful history from across European football.

After starting out with his boyhood club Grasshoppers Zurich, the Bosnian-born keeper was starring in the Champions League for Swiss club FC Thun as a 21-year-old.

Moves to Lokomotiv Moscow and Olympiakos Volou followed with mixed results before a miserable and brief spell with cash-strapped Greek club Aris saw Jakupovic become a free agent in January.

A fresh start has begun in East Yorkshire for the 27-year-old and he wants to make the most of his big break in England.

"I am a big optimist and I hope everything will be good for me, my family and the club," he said.

"I wanted to find one club where I could settle for the future. This is a good club for me to prove what I can do and to improve.

"With this team and this manager, they will help me to be better and better. I'm still young for a goalkeeper and you can always learn new things.

"I need time because I didn't play for six months last season but this pre-season is the chance for me to prove myself."

Jakupovic and Amos have so far been Bruce's only breakthroughs in the transfer market.

The City boss is, however, hopeful of recruiting new blood ahead of the Tigers' pre-season friendlies next week.

Reports from the north-east have linked Bruce with Sunderland midfield pair David Meyler and Ahmed Elmohamedy, but while there is interest for possible loan deals, both players are keen to speak with Black Cats' boss Martin O'Neill during pre-season.