Muamba - Djourou needed little persuasion

FABRICE Muamba today admitted that he spent most of the summer twisting Johan Djourou's arm.

FABRICE Muamba today admitted that he spent most of the summer twisting Johan Djourou's arm.

Muamba began his pitch on behalf of Blues in May when he flew to Geneva for his ex-Arsenal team mate and close pal's birthday celebrations.

Blues had already registered their interest with Arsenal about taking Djourou on loan and Muamba became their unofficial spokesman.

Blues finally snared Djourou on Friday and Muamba admitted with a smile: "He's old enough to make his own mind up, but I did have to have a few words, face to face!

"I told him all about the club and what it would be like here.

"Of course I wanted him to come and did my best to get him to Birmingham.

"He saw that there were three of us Arsenal boys here last season, he saw what we did and how much we enjoyed ourselves."

Djourou said: "Fabrice was always trying to convince me to join.

"It was my choice in the end, and it had to be on the decision of Arsene Wenger to say OK as well.

"But it was good of Fabrice to try his best.

"He kept on telling me how much Birmingham wanted me in their team.

"He came out to Switzerland in the summer with a couple of boys from Chelsea and some other friends, and it was good."