The former Bolton and Nigeria captain, 34, has returned to England to join ambitious Hull on an initial 10-month deal with a view to a further 12 months.

Okocha has spent the past year plying his trade in Qatar Sport Club which, while boosting his bank balance, did little to enhance his career.

Now, having swapped the Middle East for East Yorkshire, he insists he is ripe for an Indian summer with the Tigers.

"It is a very physical league but if I can play in the Premiership then I won't have any problems playing in the Championship," said Okocha, who won 73 Nigeria caps and is already being hailed as Hull's greatest-ever signing.

He added: "I'm up for the challenge. I don't have to think about other players.

"I'm more concerned with my own game and how I can influence things on the field with my ability."

That Okocha was one of most naturally gifted players ever to grace the Premier League during his time at Bolton is undeniable.

The sight of the Nigerian wizard dancing with Sam Allardyce on the Reebok Stadium after Bolton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in May 2003 to celebrate survival ensured his place in Trotters folklore.

That Okocha's wizardry helped transform Bolton from perennial strugglers to a side which qualified for Europe for the first time in the club's history is similarly not up for debate.

The good news for Hull fans and chairman Paul Duffen is that Okocha sees similar potential at the KC Stadium.

He looks set to be installed as the creative fulcrum in a side managed by Phil Brown, the former assistant to Allardyce for three of Okocha's four years at Bolton.

Okocha, who featured for Nigeria in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals, confirmed: "Phil influenced me to come here and I hope I will repay him for that.

"He has given me another opportunity to come and enjoy life in England."

Hull is the largest city in Europe never to have had a top-flight football club but the Tigers could hardly be accused of lacking ambition.

Following a $25million takeover of the club in May by media mogul Duffen, Hull smashed their transfer fee last week when they paid £1million for Wigan striker Caleb Folan.

"Hull made it clear how ambitious they are," added Okocha, who should make his debut in next Saturday's home match against Stoke.

"They have a new chairman at the club and they want to take Hull to a new level.

"I've got those ambitions and I'm glad to be back on the scene.

"The KC Stadium reminds me of the Reebok and hopefully I can achieve at Hull what I achieved at Bolton."