Pearson, 46, who steered Leicester to the play-offs in the npower Championship last season, has signed a three-year contract at the KC Stadium and will start work as Iain Dowie's successor immediately.

Dowie took the job on a temporary basis in place of Phil Brown, who was placed on gardening leave mid-way through last season and was subsequently dismissed following the club's relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

Hull's head of football operations Adam Pearson said: "We are delighted to welcome a manager of Nigel's experience and calibre to the club.

"We feel it's a real coup for Hull City and that Nigel is the best man to mould the existing squad into a competitive Championship team.

"Nigel had two outstanding seasons at Leicester City and I feel sure this experience and winning formula will ensure the very best chance of bringing success back to the club."

The Tigers have also appointed Craig Shakespeare and Steve Walsh.

The pair were Pearson's assistant and first-team coach respectively at Leicester, who bounced straight back to the Championship in 2009 as League One champions under their leadership.

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Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric has paid tribute to Pearson following his appointment at Hull.

Pearson, 46, emerged as one of the best managers outside of the top flight after steering Leicester to the play-offs last season following their promotion from League One 12 months previously.

He spent two years at the Walkers Stadium and Mandaric is expected to receive compensation from Hull for the former Sheffield Wednesday defender's services.

Mandaric said in a statement: "We were greatly surprised to receive the initial approach from Hull.

"The past few years have been a turbulent time for both me and the supporters at Leicester City. We have been striving to get a degree of continuity at the club. However, Nigel has done a fantastic job for us and it would have been wrong of us to deny him the opportunity to speak to another club if he wished.

"After speaking to him, we have reluctantly agreed that if he wished to pursue this opportunity at Hull, we would permit it. I am deeply grateful to Nigel for everything he has done for the club. He has put together the foundations of a strong squad and it is now up to us to find a manager to build on those foundations."