Just seconds after concluding his move from West Brom to Blues, www.bcfc.com caught up with new signing Kevin Phillips before he went out to join his team mates for the first time for this morning's training session at Wast Hills.

Here's what the Baggies' 24-goal top scorer from last season had to say about his decision to join Blues and his hopes for the campaign ahead. 

You've just signed on the dotted line here at Blues, Kevin, how are feeling now that it's all concluded?
I'm delighted to finally sort my future out. It's been a tough summer. Obviously I've missed my first week's training here at the club which is not always ideal because you're kind of playing catch-up. But I'll be looking to put in some hard graft now to try and catch up but I'm delighted that it's all done and dusted and now I can concentrate on the season ahead.

You had two good years at West Brom. You must have been sad to leave there after helping the club achieve promotion?
Yes, I would be lying if I didn't say that. I had a fantastic two years there and I said that all along. It was disappointing to have left but we couldn't agree what I was looking for and Birmingham have come in and given me what I was looking for so I am delighted to have joined.
I'm looking forward to helping this club try and gain promotion this season as I did at West Brom.

There was interest from other clubs. What was it about Birmingham City that swayed your decision our way?
I spoke to the manager and he was very keen for me to join. He explained to me what he is looking for this season and that I am going to be a major part of the club's push for promotion. Plus a big factor for me was that I didn't have to move. Yesterday there were other clubs interested but it would have been a case of uprooting the family. We've just bought a new house in the area which I didn't want to leave and the kids are settled in school.

You've played for Aston Villa, West Brom and now Blues. You have almost become an adopted Brummie! You obviously like the area?
I've only got Wolves left now! Ha ha! Yes I do, it's a fantastic area, central and you can get everywhere easily. If it wasn't going to happen at West Brom then this was an ideal move for me. It's a big club. Yes, they've just got relegated but I feel that if they can keep hold of the key players, as we did at West Brom, then we've got a fantastic opportunity of gaining promotion.
I'm sure they'll be a couple more signings before now and the start of the season which will make us even stronger.

You know Liam Ridgewell and Roy Aitken from your time at Villa. Did you speak to them before making the move here?
No I didn't to be honest. I only spoke to the manager a few times and I was impressed with what he had to say.
I enjoyed playing under Roy at Villa and Ridgey is a good player. It always helps when you come to a new club and you know a couple of faces. But when you get to my age and the experience I've got then that's not a major factor any more. I'm just looking forward to getting out there on the training pitch and putting some graft in.

You were second top scorer in the Championship last season. Are you confident that you can come close to that kind of tally again?
Yes, I hope so. It's all about creating the chances and with the players that we've got here, I'm sure they'll create chances in this league.
Let's not get too carried away. It's a tough league but there is quality here and if we can keep hold of them then we stand an excellent chance.

You proved last season at West Brom that you can play good football and get out of this division?..
Yes, definitely. We got criticised at times for playing too much and I was probably one of them. But that was the manager's philosophy, to play out of this league and it showed that it can be done. There are times when you've got to mix it up but generally good football wins you matches in this league and I'm sure that's the way the manager here is going to try and play this season.

You've signed a two year deal. You'll obviously be hoping that your second season will be another chance to play in the Premier League?
Definitely. I'd love to have another crack at the Premier League. Yes, I had the opportunity to do that at West Brom and maybe people will criticise me for that. But another factor of me coming here is that if I'd stayed at West Brom I felt I'd have probably spent all the time on the bench and not on the field.
Now I've got an opportunity to come here and play regular football. I'm not saying that I'll be playing week in and week out but I'm sure I'll play more football than I would have at West Brom. And at this stage of my career that is important to me.

Finally, what would your message be to the Blues fans. What can they expect from you this season?
I'm sure plenty of the same that I produced last year. I'm still hungry for the game. I look after myself and I'm still fit. I'd love to be part of a Birmingham team that gained promotion and be up there as top goal scorer again. I've proved I can do it over the last two years and there is no reason that I can't do it this year.