Murphy couldn't say no to Blues

Birmingham City's new signing David Murphy has said he couldn't turn down the chance to play in the Premier League after signing a three-and-a-half-year deal at St Andrews.

Blues have had to pay a reported £1.5million for Murphy, with an additional £500,000 due when the club retain their Premier League place and another £500,000 depending on appearances. There is also thought to be an option for an additional two-years on the deal.

Former Middlesbrough man Murphy moved to Easter Road in the summer 2004 and has impressed during his time in Scotland. New Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen wanted to keep hold of the player, but the decision was apparently taken out of his hands.

Murphy told the Daily Record: "I just couldn't turn down the chance to play in the Premiership and Birmingham are a terrific club for me. I had a taste of the Premiership earlier in my career and I am delighted to get the chance to go back.

"The Hibs fans have been terrific because they knew my situation and that means an awful lot. It was very important to me that I left Easter Road on the right terms and I am happy to have managed that. I was at Hibs for three-and-a-half years and I have absolutely fantastic memories of my time at the club.

"Hibs will always mean something to me and provided one of the best moments of my career when we won the CIS Cup. The Hibs supporters know this is a chance I couldn't turn down and I would just like to wish everyone at Easter Road, the new manager Mixu Paatelainen, all the boys in the dressing-room and the fans every continued success."

The deal with be made official once Murphy passes a medical later today, and he is expected to go straight into Alex McLeish's squad to face Chelsea at the weekend. It remains to be seen whether Everton striker James McFadden will also be signed in time for that match.