Garry O'Connor is delighted with his decision to join Birmingham City.

The former Lokomotiv Moscow striker is confident Brum will hold their own in the Premiership next season and declared: "I have got ambitions and speaking to the gaffer and Eric and what they want for Birmingham, I knew it was right to join.

"They told me that they wanted more than just try to stay up.

"They said they wanted Birmingham to push on and try to do a Reading or Portsmouth, have a go for Europe. That's similar to the way I feel and I am looking forward to working with all the people at Birmingham."

O'Connor, who signed for Blues from Lokomotiv Moscow, said he had been impressed by the kind of squad Bruce has been assembling.

"I was told that there is a great team spirit in the dressing room and across the whole club," said O'Connor. "I'm looking forward to being a part of that and getting to know the lads.

"The gaffer and Eric also spoke about the amount of younger players we've got like me who are hungry to do well. They told me that they are willing to fight for the jersey and prove something in the Premiership.

"As there are more signings coming in as well there's going to be great competition which can only be good for the whole team.

"As for my situation, it's down to me to show I'm good enough to play and that someone coming from Scotland can be a success in the Premiership."