Steve Bruce admits he is delighted to have snapped up Borja Oubina on a season long-loan deal.
Blues sign up Spanish star
Steve Bruce admits he is delighted to have snapped up Borja Oubina on a season-long loan deal.
The Spanish international was all set for an £8million move from Celta Vigo to Benfica.
But when the deal collapsed the Blues stepped into the breach, paying the Spanish outfit £880,000 as a loan fee, with a view to securing Oubina on a permanent deal.
"Very early in the week, it looked odds-on as if he was going to Benfica," Bruce told the Birmingham Mail.
"That didn't happen, and we jumped on the back of it."
Signature
The move for Oubina only came about after City missed out on capturing the signature of Atletico Madrid's Peter Luccin, who instead joined Real Zaragoza for £1.9million.
"We were very disappointed with what happened with Peter Luccin. On Wednesday and up until the Thursday night at 6.30pm, we thought it was a done deal," Bruce added.
"Then it all went quiet, we were led up the garden path a little bit with it. So that left us with not much time.
"But Oubina's a quality player, he captained his club last season and played 30-odd times.
"He has two caps for Spain and I'm delighted he's come here".
Oubina, a defensive midfielder, had also been linked with Real Betis and Manchester City before choosing St Andrews.
