Maxime Colin admitted it was strange to be part of a trio leaving Brentford for Birmingham as he paid tribute to the Bees fans for their support.

The Frenchman ended his two year stay at Griffin Park as he completed a £2.5million move to St Andrews in the dying embers of transfer deadline day.

Colin had been the subject of earlier offers in the window, from his native France, before the Blues produced an offer that met Brentford's valuation.

He told GetWestLondon: “It was a long day – it wasn't easy to leave like that at the end of the market. We knew that there was a possibility for me to leave.

“Brentford had already bought Henrik (Dalsgaard) because they thought I may leave. When Birmingham showed their interest in me, they found a way to make Brentford happy and they found a way to get an agreement.

“There was an offer from a club in France that Brentford turned down. It's the end of the story but I keep only good memories in Brentford and keep them in my heart and I'm really happy with the club.”

The Birmingham Three: Jota, Maxime Colin, Harlee Dean

Colin became the third Bees player to make the switch to Birmingham in little over 24 hours as he followed Harlee Dean, who also spoke to GetWestLondon after his departure, and Jota to the second city.

He reflected: “I admit it's a bit strange that three of Brentford's players went to Birmingham at the same time.

“It wasn't a plan or something prepared in advance. Jota had a lot of clubs in for him and only at the end of the market, Birmingham won the race.

“I think it's a bit of luck or something. It wasn't something prepared in advance and I wasn't told about them, especially Jota which I didn't know until the end.”

Colin was a popular player during his two years at Griffin Park and he will take away the relationship he had with the fans as his abiding memory.

Maxime Colin

He explained: “I don't have one moment I remember. I remember Preston when the fans were starting to sing my name, I really was happy.

“What I really remember from Brentford is straight from the first day I really felt welcome from everyone.

“When you come from a foreign country it's not always easy but the fans made me feel at home and comfortable. I'm really happy with the way they welcomed me.

Colin went on: “I want to thank everyone. From day one, they were right behind me and supporting me so I feel really well.

“Brentford have a strategy. The players to leave aren't the first to leave. I always gave 100 per cent for the club in every game. I never lied, cheated and gave everything on the pitch.

“Brentford still have a lot of good players at the club. It's a really good club and I wish luck to Brentford of course and will follow everything there.”

Window watcher: Redknapp

Colin admitted that he was sold on the project at Birmingham and the chance to work with Harry Redknapp.

He said: “They have a big project and they have brought a lot of new signings. Harry Redknapp is a big name in England.

“In Brentford, at the beginning of the summer, they decided to buy someone also and we didn't sign an agreement for a new contract. All this together, meant that the way for me was to leave.”

Despite Colin clearly feeling that what Birmingham are doing will help him achieve his career ambitions, he still believes that Brentford will continue to be the success story they have been these last three years.

He said: “We know the situation at Brentford. They use other strategies. They brought some very good players in during the market.

“Harlee was there for five years and he maybe was at the end of something. Sometimes you need a new challenge in your life.

“Brentford bought me and sold me for much more so I guess they're happy they found an agreement.

“It's football but I have trust in Brentford and of Matthew and the directors of football to keep pushing really well for Brentford.”

Reflecting on everything that happened, Colin concluded: “It's been two wonderful years for me. I had a baby. I came here and I was single and I didn't speak English and I leave after two years with a baby and I can speak English.

“I had two good years and spent a lot of time in England really sharing moments with everyone.

“With my partner and my team-mates and the staff. It's been really good. At times you need to make a choice and going to Birmingham is one of them. Nothing is bad. We will see in the future what happens.”