Steve Bruce is relishing the prospect of working with former Juventus striker Olivier Kapo as he dismissed reports claiming West Ham striker Marlon Harewood is to become Birmingham’s eighth summer signing.
Bruce has been aware of Kapo’s abilities for several years and he had no hesitation in signing him this summer when he was made available by the Italian giants.
He is likely to form a partnership with another newcomer in Scotland international Garry O’Connor who moved to Blues from Lokomotiv Moscow.
Bruce said: "I’ve watched Olivier for a few years now since I first saw him play up front with Djibril Cisse for Auxerre. I saw him him in a Champions League game against Arsenal at Highbury and he was very good.
"Cisse got his big money move and Olivier moved to Juventus where it has not gone quite as well as he would have liked. But in today’s market, the #1.5million we have so far paid is a hell of a deal.
"He’s the one who could do something for us a little bit different. He has fantastic technique and ability. He could have that little bit of magic that can turn a game in the Premiership."
Bruce is looking to bring in new faces as midfielder Stephen Clemence and striker DJ Campbell prepare to move to Leicester.
But he insists he is not about to sign Harewood who has fallen out of favour at Upton Park.
Bruce said: "Yes, we did make an inquiry about Marlon Harewood earlier in the summer but that is as far as it went. There was no bid and it is not true that he is coming now.
"I haven’t finished with all my signings yet. If you look at it, so far we’ve lost four players from last season’s squad and three of them were in the team in Andrew Cole, Nicklas Bendtner and Bruno N’Gotty.
"It looks like Stephen Clemence and DJ Campbell could be going to Leicester, Julian Gray has gone to Coventry - and my immediate thought was to replace what I’ve lost.
"We’re still short on the left hand side and I’ve got to try and do a little bit more."
