The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international yesterday put pen to paper on a four-year deal as Steve Bruce - who also managed Morrison at Crystal Palace - finally secured his number one summer target.

Morrison had scored 71 goals in 178 appearances for the Eagles, but felt the time was right to try his luck in the top flight. And he is relishing the prospect of making his bow with City against champions Arsenal in the opening Premiership match on August 18.

His long-running transfer saga was finally concluded after Andy Johnson agreed to move to Palace in part exchange.

Morrison said: ‘‘I had some great times at Palace and they taught me so much but I felt it was time to move on with Premiership football on the horizon.

“I did my time at Palace, through the good times and the bad times, but I am really relishing the chance to work again with Steve Bruce. He has brought the skills he learnt at Manchester United and under Alex Ferguson to his coaching and he got the best out of me when he was at Palace.

‘‘He also likes to play football which appeals to me and personally it will be a dream come true to step out into the Premiership next month. Apart from 10 minutes as a substitute in the season when Palace were relegated, this will be my first taste of it.

‘‘I think I can do a job at this level. You have got to be confident. I am a bit nervous inside and maybe sometimes I can be overconfident.

‘‘But you have got to have that as a footballer, have that belief that you can do well and I will be trying to do the best I can for Birmingham.

“There have been other Premiership clubs who have declared an interest in the past but no one had gone this far down the line.’’

Bruce was pleased to have finally got his man after months of waiting.

The Blues boss said: ‘‘When I sat down after we had got promoted to decide who I wanted, Clinton was always the number one striker on my list.

‘‘We have worked extremely hard to make this deal happen and I am thankful it has finally come to fruition. If you look at his record he has scored a goal nearly every two games and he is an exciting talent whom I think will score the goals which will help us to stay in the Premiership.’’

Morrison himself says he does not have any specific goals for the coming season other than to establish himself in the top flight.

‘‘It’s a challenge and I am ready to take it on.

“I have done alright in cup matches against Premiership sides like Liverpool, Leicester, Sunderland and Newcastle and caused them problems. I am hoping I will be able to do the same for Birmingham City and this is the chance to show if I can handle it at this level”.

Johnson, meanwhile, has told Palace fans to forget about Morrison and is determined to better his goalscoring.

The 21-year-old, who has agreed a four-year contract at Selhurst, believes he can improve on the 24 goals Morrison scored last season.