Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is delighted with the form being shown by summer signing Daniel de Ridder.

"Sometimes when you get players, you need a bit of luck and to be able to get in sharpish," Bruce told the Birmingham Mail. "I remember I was sitting there in the summer watching television and the Under-21 European Championship.

"Holland were playing Belgium and I thought 'blimey, he's a good player'.

"Of course, everyone was on about Babel, Drenthe and Rigters. But for me de Ridder looked fantastic.

"After that, I made sure I watched the Dutch again.

"The third time was against England in the semi-final when he took one of the penalties.

"Before that game, I got onto his agent and asked him what was he doing, what his situation was and so on.

"To find out he was on a free from Celta Vigo after their relegation was absolutely music to my ears - that sort of deal's right up our street!

"What he also can do is play off the front, or on the left as well as the right. So that's another plus."