Hull City transfer news: Tigers 'lining up' 16th summer signing as Oscar Zambrano insurance policy

English-born but a Colombian team-mate of Gustavo Puerta, Hull have been able to sign the 25-year-old after Friday's transfer deadline because he is a free agent.

Alzate was reportedly undergoing a medical on Thursday having been released by Brighton in the summer.

In seven years on the south coast, he made 72 appearances for Brighton but had loan spells with Swindon Town and twice at Standard Liege.

Alzate is a player comfortable on the ball who likes picking it up deep.

Hull loaned two holding midfielders in the transfer window in Oscar Zambrano and Puerta, but Ecaudorian Zambrano is being investigated over an alleged doping offence and his availability is therefore an unknown. He has started two matches for Hull since arriving from LDU Quito.

Hull lost 18 senior players in the summer, as well as sending four back after successful loans.

They had also been linked with free agent Liam Cooper, who was in the stands for the 0-0 draw with Millwall but a deal to bring the Hull-born former Leeds United captain back for a second spell at his hometown club fell through.

Their next game is at home to Sheffield United a week on Friday when the international break comes to an end.