New Blues signing Kemy Augustien

Blues new midfield signing Kemy Agustien spoke exclusively to bcfc.com just after completing his year-long loan move to St. Andrew's.

Here is the full interview:

Hello Kemy. Firstly could you give me a little bit of background to the move and how it came about?
I'd wanted to leave AZ and my agent said that Birmingham wanted me. I told him that Birmingham seems like a good club and they've spent most of the recent years in the Premier League, so why not? For me it's an opportunity to become a Champion in this division and get a promotion to the Premier League.

I understand you initially had a medical a few weeks ago, but there was a slight problem?
Yes I had the medical which showed up a slight groin problem so I had a hernia operation to fix it. Birmingham told my agent that when everything was okay they wanted me to come back to the club, so I met up with the physio again on Thursday and everything was fine.

I know you're back in training now, but when do you think you will be fully fit?
I started training again last weekend and I was outside doing running and skipping and things like that. It felt good. I think it will be about another two weeks before I'm back to full fitness. I don't normally have injuries and it was the first operation I've ever had.

Did you know anything about Alex McLeish before you signed?
I knew he was successful coach at Rangers and with the Scotland national team, so he has a lot of experience. It's good for me also because I will be able to learn a lot from him and also from the experience playing football in England.

In action for Holland u21's

Has it always been an ambition of yours to play in England?
Yes it has and I think this is the right time to make the step.

There is a lot of pressure on the club to get promoted at the first attempt. How do you feel about that?
It's good to have pressure and it's something I like. I think it's good for me and good for the team because it drives you on.

I've seen reports that you are left footed is that correct?
No, I can play with both feet depending on the system I'm in.

For the Birmingham fans that haven't seen you play could you tell me what sort of player you are and your favoured role?
My preferred position is as one of the two central midfielders but if the manager wants to put me on the right or left side it doesn't matter as long as I play.
I think I'm a good all round player but I want to improve because it's never enough. I can play as either an attacking or defensive midfielder but mostly I play on my intuition and if I can do that I can do both of those things.

Do you like to get forward and score goals?
Yes of course. I think every player wants to get forward and score goals but if I can make a tackle and prevent a goal I will do it.

You've played a number of games for the Holland U21 side. Do you think playing in England will help you progress to the full national side?
I hope so. I think this will be a great experience for me and I am sure that I will learn a lot this season

Do you know any of the players in the team?
I saw Lee Carsley yesterday and spoke to him. We played against each other when AZ played Everton in the Uefa Cup. I also watch a lot of football so I've seen most of the players play.

How long is the loan for?
It's initially for a season and then hopefully it will become permanent. That's what I want and that's what the manager wants.

Will your family be joining you over here?
Yes, I have a girlfriend and a son who was one this week. Once everything has settled down they'll be coming over here to join me. It's better for me and I want my family close.

Finally are you confident that you can adapt to the English style of play?
I hope that with the kind of player I am I can be a plus for the club, but it's not just about me it's also about the rest of the team.