Birmingham City attacker Jeremie Bela has revealed that he was fearful that his move to St Andrews might not happen at one stage, before he eventually put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Blues.

Bela endured a difficult summer and first few months of the season, having left Spanish side Albacete in the summer, with a dispute ensuing due to the club wanting to extend his contract - and that delayed his transfer to Birmingham with the Blues needing to wait for his situation to be resolved before offering him a contract.

Albacete eventually agreed to allow Bela to move on, and he subsequently sealed his Birmingham move, coming off the bench for his Blues' debut and first appearance since the end of last season last time out in the 1-0 defeat against Fulham before the international break.

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Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Bela outlined that the deal to take him to St Andrews was complicated and that he was eager to join the Blues earlier in the campaign, and that now he is keen to make the most out of his chance to impress, saying: "It has been very difficult. It’s been difficult more mentally than physically. I stayed focused and I trained every day.

“I had a personal trainer in Belgium. It’s a respect for my future to stay in good shape.

"The deal was very difficult and complicated. I really wanted to come and play here but in September or October I thought it might not happen.

"Now everything is okay, and I am very happy. After four months without playing I want to play as many games as possible and give my best.

"Between Birmingham and me you can say it’s a love story. I wanted to come here to Birmingham. Now we are together it is a new start for me."

The Verdict

Bela's comments reflect just how eager he was to make the move to Birmingham and that he will be highly motivated to reward the Blues' patience over his situation with Albacete - and the 26-year-old has the potential to add some extra quality in the final third for Pep Clotet's side during the rest of the campaign.

The fact that Bela was keen to maintain his fitness despite not being contracted to a club during the opening weeks of the season, has enabled him to come straight in to contention for a place in Clotet's side which means that the Blues have been instantly boosted with another option ahead of the hectic winter period.

After a very challenging start to the season, Bela will now just be hoping to impress on the training ground and earn a place in Birmingham's starting line-up.