De Ridder impressed with European performances
Holland Under-21 winger Daniel de Ridder who has just joined the Blues' squad first impressed City manager Steve Bruce with his performances in the recent European Championships.
The 23-year-old, who was part of his country’s successful European Under-21 Championship campaign, was snapped up by Bruce as soon as he was out of contract with Spanish side Celta Vigo.
De Ridder is City’s fifth signing of the summer so far after Fabrice Muamba, Stuart Parnaby, Garry O’Connor and Olivier Kapo.
He left Holland in 2005 to join Celta, where he made 20 Primera Liga appearances, scoring one goal.
The Dutchman could be followed into St Andrews by Charlton midfielder Amady Faye.
Faye’s agent Willie McKay has confirmed City’s interest in the Senegal international who could leave The Valley for around £500,000.
Bruce needs to add some more experience in the middle of the park - particularly with Stephen Clemence believed to be attracting interest from Southampton.
McKay said: “He (Faye) is one of the players Birmingham are looking at. He wants to play in the Premier League and I think Birmingham are going to be all right next season.”
Faye will already be familiar with one Blues player in Olivier Kapo, who signed from Juventus for £3million last week, with the pair having played together at Auxerre.
McKay said: “Faye played with Kapo at Auxerre so Birmingham will probably ask him his opinion about Amady and I am sure that will help things.”
Bruce is also interested in Arsenal’s Mathieu Flamini and West Ham’s Paul Konchesky.
