Blues wrap up striker deal

Birmingham City have completed the signing of Lokomotiv Moscow's Garry O'Connor.

The Scotland international has completed a medical at St Andrews and all the details of his £2.65million move have now been finalised.

O'Connor was keen to return to Britain after leaving Hibernian in March 2006, and signed off with Lokomotiv by scoring the winning goal in the Russian cup final in May.

Now the striker has spoken of his excitement at joining the Premier League, and the positive impact a move to St Andrews will have on his family life.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to play against the best players in the world, one I want to grab with both hands," O'Connor told Sky Sports News.

"I'm sure I can bring a lot to Birmingham and I'm just ready to listen to what the coaches have got to say and hopefully I can work my way into the team and show everybody that I am a Premiership player.

"Obviously they have got some money to spend and they will be bringing in some top class players to the team, and I'm looking forward to working with Steve Bruce and Eric Black and I'm sure they can bring things into my game that I've not got already.

"It's the best move possible. My wife is absolutely buzzing about things.

"We are going to be a family again. I have missed my son growing up in the last two years and hopefully we can just enjoy some quality time as a family."

Scotland boss Alex McLeish has expressed his pleasure at O'Connor's move, backing the striker to be a real success in English football.

"I think he can make an impact in the Premier League," McLeish told The Scotsman. "He is two-footed, good in the air and mobile, so I don't see why not.

"It depends on where Birmingham play him. A lot of managers are going for the 4-5-1 system at the moment and I'm sure Garry can play up front on his own if need be, as long as he gets some support from the midfielders or wingers.

"He has improved his game since moving to Russia, without a doubt. He is now showing more game awareness. His confidence took a huge boost from scoring the winner in the Russian Cup final.

"With the mobility and touch he has got, there was no hesitation in making him a part of things for Scotland and he made a real impact in our last two games. He knows he has now set a standard and that he has to maintain it in every game.

"With the right guidance from Steve Bruce and Eric Black at Birmingham, hopefully he can become even better. He can be a real force in the Premier League."

Reports in the local media claim Birmingham are also closing in on the signing of Juventus midfielder Olivier Kapo in a £2million deal.