Czech Republic defender Martin Jiranek has confirmed that he turned down offers from a number of clubs across Europe in favour of joining Birmingham City.
The 31-year-old has signed an initial one-year deal with the Blues, having been allowed to leave Spartak Moscow before the transfer window slammed shut.
He told the Birmingham Mail:"I had many offers. Three from teams in Spain, one from Germany, one from Russia but it was my dream to test myself in the Premier League – which is probably the best league in the world.
"I knew Birmingham finished ninth in the league last season, which is a great result. I was quite happy to join that kind of team.
"It's a new challenge for me. In Russia I was there seven years as captain of Spartak Moscow and played in the Champions League and UEFA Cup and Russian League, so every part of the grass was already well known.
"New motivation was needed."
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