Carsley targets swift return
20 May 2008 - 07:21:27
New signing Lee Carsley has set his sights on helping Birmingham City secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
The 34-year-old opted to join the Blues on a free transfer on Monday on a two-year contract after rejecting the opportunity to extend his six-and-a-half year stay on Merseyside, where he was reported offered just a 12-month extension.
But Carsley, who began his career in the youth ranks at St Andrew's, believes the recently relegated Blues should be aiming for a swift return to the top-flight next season.
"My contract ran out at Everton and I was offered a new deal there, but I felt it was time to move on," he told the club's official website.
"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.
"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.
"I've had a good career so far, but I've not won anything and my main thing now is to win the Championship, get back into the Premier League and stabilise the club.
"I'll be putting everything into the next couple of years to make sure we get back in the Premier League.
"I think a club of this size deserves to be playing in the best league."
