Birmingham City new boy Alen Halilovic is said to have rejected far more lucrative proposals from clubs in Europe in order to join the Blues this week. 

As reported by Spanish publication AS, it is said that the Croatian midfielder turned down a number of other others from clubs on the continent in order to join up with Aitor Karanka and his squad.

The 24-year-old was previously a free agent prior to joining the Midlands based outfit after being released on a free transfer by former club AC Milan after a largely injury-plagued stay in Italy.

Formerly a graduate of the famed Dinamo Zagreb academy system, Halilovic boasts a strong footballing CV, with the versatile attacking player having turned out for the likes of Milan, Barcelona and Hamburg over the past 10 years.

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After signing a contract with the Blues until 2021, the Croat will be seeking to make an instant impact for the club as they head into the hectic winter period.

The Verdict 

This will come as good news to all of those associated with Birmingham City Football Club as it shows that Karanka has a brilliant level of pulling power that allows the Spaniard to attract players to the club that would've otherwise been out of reach under previous regimes at St. Andrew's.

Halilovic is a player that I have followed for a good few years now and I have feeling he could make an impact on the division that hasn't been seen since when Matheus Pereira was lighting up the Championship for West Brom last term.

He has all the technical talents to make it to the very top of the game after falling from such high grace and I really think he is in the perfect environment to really thrive.

Fitness will obviously play a factor but once he is back to 100%, Birmingham will have some player on their hands.