Former Bolton defender Mendy was strongly linked with the Barclays Premier League newcomers after leaving Paris St Germain as a free agent and has now confirmed his expected return to England.

Tigers coach Phil Brown previously worked with the 26-year-old during his season-long spell at the Reebok Stadium, where Brown was assistant coach to Sam Allardyce.

Mendy said: "I'm happy to go back to England and above all I'll be meeting up again with Phil Brown, who was the assistant coach at Bolton when PSG loaned me out there. That counted a lot."

Mendy, who played 23 times for Wanderers, has three full caps for Les Bleus.

Meanwhile, Hull have been unsuccessful in their reported attempt to sign Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

The 26-year-old Oman international was said to have become disillusioned with life at the Reebok and had been linked with moves to the Tigers, Bayern Munich and Turkish side Galatasaray.

But now Al Habsi has confirmed that he will remain at the Reebok for another season.

Heading for the exit door at the KC Stadium is 33-year-old ex-Denmark international Henrik Pedersen who has been allowed to terminate his contract due to family reasons.

Pedersen joined City on a free transfer last August, signing a two-year deal.

After recovering from an Achilles injury he made his debut the following month, playing up front and scored his first two goals for the club in the 3-1 win against Ipswich.

But then he was ruled out until the new year through injury after damaging his knee.

Pedersen returned in January, playing on the left flank. He made the last of his 22 appearances for the Tigers in the penultimate league game of the season against Crystal Palace, but had to be substituted in the first half due to injury.

Despite returning to fitness in time for the play-offs the Dane didn't make Brown's 16-man squad for any of the three games.

The Hull players are now getting into shape for the start of the new Premiership season and their first match at home to Fulham on August 16.

Before then the Tigers have arranged several pre-season friendlies and they start tomorrow with the short trip to North Ferriby United in the Billy Bly Memorial Trophy (7.45pm).

The following day there's a match at Winterton Rangers (7.45pm) and next Saturday they travel to face Belgian side KV Oostende (2pm).

The Tigers then travel to Chesterfield on Tuesday, July 22 (7.45pm), Crewe on Saturday, July 26 (3pm), Oldham on Tuesday, July 29 (7.45pm) and Hearts on Sunday, August 3 (2pm).

On August 9 Hull have a home match with Spanish side Osasuna (3pm).

Ends