Birmingham's deadline-day capture Obafemi Martins says he wants to make his move back to England permanent.
Former Toon man wants to settle in England
Birmingham's deadline-day loan capture Obafemi Martins has revealed he wants to make his move back to England a permanent one.
The former Newcastle forward made a return to the Premier League late last month when he arrived at the Blues on loan until the end of the season from Russian club Rubin Kazan.
And after spending five months in Russia without his girlfriend and two small children, who are based in Yorkshire, the 26-year-old is hoping to make his latest stay in England a long-term one.
"I am so happy to be back in England," Martins said in the
Daily Star.
"I didn't see my family for five months while I was in Russia - it's a four-hour flight and my girlfriend couldn't do that while she was expecting.
"I used to speak to them on the phone but it was very difficult and I missed them all.
"I feel at home in England and I want to stay and bring the children up here."
Debut
Martins, who spent three seasons with the Magpies between 2006 and 2009, enjoyed a winning return to English football on Saturday as Birmingham triumphed 1-0 against Stoke on his debut through a Nikola Zigic goal.
The Nigeria international, who began his senior career with Inter Milan, is glad to be back on the pitch after red tape tied up his application for a work permit at St Andrews.
He said: "I had to go back to Nigeria while the application was made and I thought it would take a day - like it did when I joined Inter Milan.
"But the British Embassy have changed the system and it seemed to take ages.
"I don't mind now, I am here and I can't wait to get on with things."
