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Last Updated: Friday, 18 January 2008, 11:40 GMT
Birmingham complete McFadden move
Scotland international James McFadden
McFadden joins Birmingham's fight against relegation
Birmingham City have signed Scotland striker James McFadden from Everton.

The two clubs are believed to have agreed a deal worth £4.75m with another £1m based on add-ons.

The 24-year-old passed a medical and sorted out personal terms to complete the switch and is available to face Chelsea on Saturday.

"He is not just a guy who can score great goals," said Birmingham boss Alex McLeish. "He can also create, make things happen and he has a big heart."

The arrival of McFadden follows the capture of left-back David Murphy from Hibs for a £1.5m fee.

"James is the type of player you know you are going to get everything from for the entire 90 minutes of a game," added McLeish, who knows the player well from his days as Scotland boss.

It doesn't surprise me other clubs are interested in David because he is a good, good player

Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen

"He has matured. He has had his initiation at Everton in the Premier League and for me he is a definite Premier League player. He has shown that in a very good Everton side this season.

"When he has come into the side, I am not so sure anyone has looked as good as him."

McFadden was signed by Everton manager David Moyes from Motherwell in September 2003 for £1.25m and scored 18 goals in 137 appearances for the Toffees.

However, he struggled to hold down a regular starting berth, and had been linked with a move back to Scotland with Celtic.

Birmingham had bid £3m for the player but Everton had been demanding £5.7m for the forward and negotiations are believed to have brought the two clubs' estimations closer.

Scotland team-mate Garry O'Connor has welcomed McFadden's arrival to a Birmingham side that are tied on 20 points with Bolton, Wigan and Sunderland near the bottom of the Premier League table in England.

606: DEBATE

"This is a great positive for Birmingham," said O'Connor. "I've worked with James in the past and he is a fantastic player. It is a great addition to the squad.

"He plays in any position - midfield or striker - so he is great to have him in the team.

"We played a couple of times together for Scotland and James never loses the ball and he has got that passion and commitment towards the game.

"He fights for every ball. He has got that attitude that if he loses the ball, he gets so frustrated and has to run back and chase people.

"He has got that little bit of quality which you have seen at international level and now probably in the Premier League. He can score fantastic goals from anywhere on the pitch."

O'Connor will also know Murphy from his days as a Hibs player.

Former Middlesbrough defender Murphy, 23, moved to St Andrews on Wednesday after three-and-a-half seasons at Easter Road.

"He's a full-back who likes to get forward," McLeish said.

"He's a player I've admired for a long time and I made enquiries to see if he had any Scottish blood when I had the Scotland job.

"We would certainly have brought him into the fold with the national team given the displays we saw up there."

Meanwhile, McLeish is also keen on signing Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill on loan for the rest of the season, but Villa are believed to prefer a permanent switch.

Birmingham will not, however, be pursuing their interest in Liberian international midfielder Dulee Johnson, who recently spent a week on trial at the club.



SEE ALSO
McLeish desperate for new players
03 Jan 08 |  Birmingham City
McLeish is given licence to spend
06 Dec 07 |  Birmingham City
Birmingham unveil McLeish as boss
28 Nov 07 |  Birmingham City


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