Agyeman Badu explains why he snubbed Birmingham City

Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu says he wanted to play in a competitive league hence the reason for snubbing Championship side Birmingham City.

The 26-year-old joined Bursaspor on a season long loan from Italian side Udinese after seven years in the Serie A.

Badu believes there is more competition for him in Turkey and has already featured for Bursaspor in their opening day defeat to Istanbul Bashekir. He played 20 minutes and as a right back.

“I don’t think I came to Turkey because of money,” Badu said, as reported by Joy Sports.

“I want to play football and I will get it in a competitive Turkish league.

“The offer I got for Birmingham was very great, it was very difficult to reject it but I needed to taste the Turkish league.

“I spoke with Jerry Akaminko, John Boye, [Emmanuel] Adebayor and Asamoah Gyan before our [pre-season] friendly with Kayserispor.

“There were great reviews and I want such challenges. It is not about money."

However, Birmingham City boss Harry Redknapp was hit hard by Badu’s snub.

"I did a deal the other day for a lad from Udinese - Badu - a Ghanaian boy and top midfield player," the Englishman told his club's official website.

"I drove to Huddersfield to watch him play.

“It took me six-and-a-half hours to get to Huddersfield, met him after and then spoke to him two days ago and he gave me his word on the phone that he wanted to play for me.

"I wake up the next morning and he has signed for a Turkish club!”