Nigeria's Birmingham City's winter recruit, Obafemi Martins could make his Birmingham City debut on Saturday against Stoke City.
The former Wolfsburg of Germany attacker who finally returned to the United Kingdom after securing a visa that will allow him to play for Birmingham City on Tuesday joined the Blues on loan from Russian club Rubin Kazan on 31 January but visa problems delayed his debut.
A statement on the City website says Martins, 26, has received clearance to play against Stoke City on Saturday. Martins previously scored 28 goals in 88 Premier League appearances for Newcastle United between 2006 and 2009. Birmingham manager Alex McLeish feels fans will quickly warm to the new signing.
"He's an explosive type of player and is similar to Christian Benitez but with more experience. He has great pace, is two-footed, very good in the air and I'm sure he's a signing that will excite the fans." said McLeish.
The Nigeria international has also played for Inter Milan in Italy's Serie A and Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga.
Alex Mcleish told the club's website that he has been impressed with what he has seen of Obagoal in the short time he has trained with the 16th placed team in the EPL.
"He (Martins) has trained this week and is looking good. It's good to see him out there finally, after getting the visa he was waiting for last week. I think he can bring something to this squad. He is looking very sharp so I would consider throwing him right in." said Mcleish.
With Martins' addition to the squad, McLeish now has five strikers at his disposal and he welcomes the competition for places.
"There are options there and it's great competition.In the first half of the season we were searching for the right formula and we stuttered a little bit.Now there are great opportunities in these last 14 games or so for the players to make their mark." he added
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