Bent raring to go

Bent: Birmingham ambition

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New Birmingham striker Marcus Bent has spoken of his desire to fire the Blues back into the Premier League.

The former Charlton hit-man has signed a three-year deal at St Andrews after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

He appeared to be on his way to Cardiff earlier in the week but has chosen Blues because he thinks they have more chance of reaching the top.

The player, who spent last season on loan at Wigan Athletic, told the club's official website: "I've always liked playing at Birmingham and had a good time and they were always a club I wouldn't have minded joining and getting involved with.

Infrastructure

"I was at Wigan last season and the Premiership is the place that professionals want to play. Knowing that Birmingham have just come down from the Premiership and that they've got infrastructure in place to get back up as soon as possible I wanted to come down and be involved and help the club and myself get back into the top division."

He added that he did not have any qualms about dropping down a division.

"There is a lot of pressure on Birmingham now because they are one of the favourites to go back up, but for me as a player that's something I thrive on," he said.

"Don't get me wrong I'm expecting a hard season because the Championship is full of quality sides but I think we've got the squad and the players to go straight back up."

He believes Birmingham are more likely to reach the top flight than Cardiff.

"At the time I spoke to Cardiff and the manager there, the club seemed very excited about signing me. They're striving to get into the Premiership by building the new stadium and such like.

More likely

"But for me personally when Birmingham came in it was a lot more appealing because I think it's more likely that Birmingham are going to get back into the Premiership."

Bent knows several of the Birmingham squad and was impressed with boss Alex McLeish.

He said: "He was very excited about the season ahead. He was also very complimentary about my game which is nice to hear from a manager. I've heard a lot of good things about him and no bad things."

He added that he is going to give his all to the cause next term, saying: "I'm powerful, strong, and good in the air and I think I'm a good finisher. Basically I'm going to give everything I've got and I don't think you can come up short with that. I just want to get playing and I'm raring to go now."

He concluded that he would not have gone to St Andrews if he did not think Blues were capable of going back up.

"Throughout last season Birmingham were a handful and played some good football at times. There is a good mixture of youth and experience. No league is easy and I know it's going to be a long hard season, but hopefully we'll be strong enough and good enough to go straight back up," he said.