Hull call time on Bullard’s stay with the Tigers

The £5m record signing arrived from Fulham in January 2009 but has seen his time at the KC Stadium shrouded in disappointment; he has started just 19 league games.

Bullard, 32, has not featured for the Tigers this season after being placed on suspension following an incident on a pre-season trip to Slovenia.

And now Hull want to sever their relationship, despite the player being contracted to the club until the end of the 2012-13 season.

“I can confirm that the club has given notice to terminate the contract of Jimmy Bullard.” said Tigers chief exective Mark Maguire. “Mr Bullard has a right of appeal and it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time that might prejudice this process.

“The club will continue to focus on the development and performance of the squad going forward and is concentrated on efforts to deliver a positive season on and off the pitch for the Tigers.

“We respect that there will be significant interest in this matter but will continue to act with professionalism and at all times in the best interests of the club.”

Bullard attended a disciplinary hearing last week at the KC Stadium, where he was represented by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

The former Peterborough and Wigan midfielder – who spent part of last season on loan at Ipswich Town – has been linked with a move to newly-promoted Barclays Premier League side QPR, managed by former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock.

And his representatives have confirmed that two Premier League clubs and two Championship clubs have already been in touch regarding his services.

Bullard’s agent Simon Dent said: “This matter is now being dealt with by Jimmy’s lawyers and we are confident that common sense will prevail.

“In the last 24 hours we have had interest from two Premiership clubs and two in the Championship.

“Jimmy is still registered as a Hull player so until his player registration is released we cannot move these discussions forward.”

Malaysian business tycoon Tony Fernandes labelled QPR a “fantastic diamond” after completing his takeover of the west London club having bought out previous majority shareholders Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.

Fernandes’s company Tune Group has bought a 66 per cent stake and his business partners will work alongside the Mittal family, who have retained their 33 per cent stake in the club.