http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/ ... ith-recordBirmingham City Mark Premier League Entrance With Record-Breaking Signing Of Christian Benitez
The Blues have snapped up the Ecuadorian international...
Birmingham City have been one of the yo-yo clubs in English football but appear intent on remaining within the Premier League now, as they have marked their promotion with a record-breaking acquisition of talented Ecuadorian international Christian Benitez.
Benitez was signed from Santos Laguna for an undisclosed, but estimated, £9 million fee. He will stride out at St Andrews for a three year period pending a medical that will be undertaken next week.
Birmingham are ecstatic to have landed the in-demand hotshot, nicknamed 'Chucho', and are reported to have claimed that they beat off a number of competitors for his signature.
Benitez struck 31 times in 58 games for Santos Laguna. The 23-year-old has also received 17 caps, scoring ten times.
Benitez has long attracted respect within the Ecuadorian top flight. In 2007 he was a reported target of Villarreal, and Red Star Belgrade were also alleged suitors.



