Soccer

Carsley agrees deal with Birmingham

Republic of Ireland international Lee Carsley has revealed there was "a lot of interest" from clubs looking to secure his services…

Mon May 19 2008 - 01:00

Republic of Ireland international Lee Carsley has revealed there was "a lot of interest" from clubs looking to secure his services before he opted to join Birmingham from Everton.

City, relegated to the Championship earlier this month, have signed Carsley subject to the midfielder completing a medical.

The 34-year-old was a free agent after turning down the offer of a new contract at Everton.

And he has signed a two-year deal with the relegated club as they look to rebuild ahead of next year's Championship campaign.

READ MORE

"My contract ran out at Everton and I was offered a new deal there but I felt it was time to move on," Carsley told Birmingham's website, bcfc.com.

"I wanted a new challenge and I didn't necessarily want to go to another Premier League club and struggle with them.

"Being realistic, we finished fifth in the league with Everton so I wasn't going to go to any of the teams above them and I couldn't see the point of going to any of the teams below them.

"So I feel I've done the next best thing and joined a club that's building for the future and trying to get where Everton are. I'd seen the job that Alex McLeish had done at Rangers and Scotland, where he had performed miracles.

"Alex just came across to me as a winner and his visions for the club match my own."

Carsley added: "Even though I'm 34, I'm not looking to wind down. All together last season, I played over 50 games including internationals.

"I've left a club that's going to be playing in the UEFA Cup again next season so it's not something I've done lightly. Everyone knows how I feel about Everton. It was a fantastic club and I had a great time there.

"We finished fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh so I've been a part of cementing that club in the top six. I've now come for a fresh challenge."

Carsley had been linked with West Brom and Derby as it emerged he wanted to move closer to his native West Midlands.

"Because my contract was up I spoke to a few clubs," he continued. "I was lucky in the fact that I had a good season last season and there was a lot of interest.

"It was important to me that I made the right decision because at my age I can't afford to be making any mistakes. "It had to be the right club and one I felt I could win something with."