Morrison deal goes through - at last

By Paul Holmes
July 30 2002

Clinton Morrison's transfer from Crystal Palace to Birmingham City has finally gone through for a fee of around £4million plus Andy Johnson.

The on-off transfer has taken almost the entire pre-season to finalise with several set-backs. Now with the deal underway both Johnson and Morrison can look forward to their new clubs, Palace boss Trevor Francis will also be keen to learn if he has any 'pocket money' from the transfer.

23-year-old Morrison signed a 4-year deal with The Blues and took part in training as a Birmingham player on Tuesday.

Blues boss Steve Bruce couldn't hide his delight when speaking to the clubs official site. "It's taken longer than expected, but the club is delighted to have signed Clinton.

"There's no pressure on him because I'm the manager who went out to sign him - it's my judgement that's on the line.

"He has been my number one target all along and I am sure he will be successful and score goals for Birmingham."

Morrison spoke of how he enjoyed his time at Palace but now was the time to move on. "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 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.

"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 over-confident.

"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."

Having won last season play-offs to reach the Premiership, Birmingham have showed that they are keen to stay in the Premiership with Morrison joining Robbie Savage, Kenny Cunningham and Aliou Cisse as new signings. Bruce is also likely to return to Palace and sign American Jovan Kirovski on a free transfer. Club owners David Sullivan and David Gold have also handed Bruce an extra £6million to strengthen his squad.