MARTIN Taylor has admitted that a Blackburn Rovers influence away from Ewood Park played a major role in his decision to head south for Birmingham City.

The centre back finally completed his £1.25 million move to St Andrews on the final day of the transfer window this week, making him the fourth ex-Rover at the club.

And one of them, David Dunn, used his powers of persuasion to lure the 24-year-old to the Midlands.

"I spoke to Dunny quite a lot and asked him what the area was like and what the club was like," said Taylor.

"It does help when you are making a big decision like that to move your family down to a new area of the country.

"I have followed in the footsteps of Dunny, Jeff Kenna and Damien Johnson. I also know Matthew Upson from England Under-21s, so obviously it helps that I know people here.

"It seems to be a very friendly club and everyone has been fantastic with me."

After being in and out of the Blackburn side this season, unable to fulfil the promise he showed when he progressed through the ranks into the first team five seasons ago, Taylor was keen to try his luck elsewhere.

With only a month to grab his opportunity of a move, he did have doubts as to whether the deal would go through.

"January has been a long month, really," Taylor said. "I heard of Birmingham's interest at the start of the month but the ball didn't get rolling until late last week when the clubs agreed.

"Then it has just been a case of tying things up. I enjoyed living in Blackburn and it is a well-run club but I felt that I needed something new in my career."

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce regards Taylor as one of the most versatile defenders in the Premiership and regards this signing on a three-year deal as a bargain.

And playing under a defensive great like Bruce is another of the reasons why Taylor thinks he can flourish away from Ewood.

"The manager here was a major influence," he said. "Steve Bruce was one of the top centre halves in the country. I have heard that he is a top coach and I will have a lot to learn from him."

It is likely that Bruce will, initially, use Taylor as a central defender but there will be the option of using the player as a full back when Matthew Upson returns from injury this month.

But it seems to be standard practice at St Andrew's employ players in positions different to where they were signed to play.

Jeff Kenna has played at centre back instead of full back, Stan Lazaridis at full back instead of a winger, Stephen Clemence in central midfield instead of wide on the left, and Damien Johnson wide on the right instead of at right back.

"I am a defender and I like to play centre half, but I can play right back or left back at a push," Taylor said.

"I want to play as many games as I can. In a perfect world, I would like to play in central defence as much as I can, but as long as I have a place in the team, I will be happy with that

" I played in nearly every position apart from in nets at Blackburn. All I want to do is help Birmingham get up the table."

Bruce has signed what he calls "a natural footballer", somebody who is at ease no matter what the circumstances, and somebody who is prepared to work hard.

Art is only acceptable in one of Bruce's teams if it is allied to industry.

"What I admire about Martin is that he is so versatile," Bruce said. "He can play at centre back, left back or right back. He is a natural footballer and if he gets confidence I believe he can be a real talent.

"He has been in and out of the Blackburn side this season but played more than 30 games last year when they finished sixth in the Premiership and qualified for Europe."