Former Premier League striker Caleb Folan is joining City on a short-term deal.

The Leeds-born 30-year-old has signed initially for three months, subject to international clearance as his last club was in Malaysia. The contract runs to the end of December to include the Boxing Day home clash with Rotherham.

At 6ft 2in tall, Folan’s arrival will offer more targetman back-up behind James Hanson. It also gives him the chance to relaunch his domestic career – he has not played here since October 2010.

Phil Parkinson said: “Caleb’s another striker option for us and I don’t think you can have enough strikers in your football club.

“He’s come in and done a bit of training for us but he hasn’t played for a while. He played some pre-season matches for Blackpool but needs some games.

“He’s looking to rebuild his reputation in England after a couple of years out of the country. Sometimes players can go abroad a little bit too soon in their career and can get forgotten.

“Maybe Caleb went abroad a little early but he’s looked great with us in training and we’re looking forward to working with him.

“We’ve been looking for another player to come in and add extra competition at the top of the pitch and Caleb gives us that.

“He gives us pace and power. He’s the type of player who can be difficult to mark and let’s hope he makes a contribution.”

Folan, capped seven times by the Republic of Ireland, has been without a club since a stint earlier this year playing for T-Team in the Malaysia Super League with former Hull team-mate George Boateng.

Parkinson turned to Folan after two loan moves fell down because City could not guarantee them first-team football. As a free agent, the striker is relishing the chance to put down roots again.

Folan first made his name with Chesterfield – and once came off the bench to score two late goals as they hit back from two down to win 3-2 at Valley Parade in 2004.

He has played for two clubs in the Premier League, joining Paul Jewell’s Wigan for £500,000 in January 2007 and then becoming Hull’s first £1million signing seven months later.

Folan spent three-and-a-half years at the KC Stadium and scored in the play-off semi-final win over Watford on the way to promotion.

He then claimed the honour of netting the winner in their first game in the top flight against Fulham.

After leaving Hull, Folan headed for America and spent a season with Colorado Rapids in the MLS.

He played 26 games for the Denver-based side, scoring six times – and even met President Barack Obama when they were presented with the title.