Keeper Nikita Haikin is determined to step out of his comfort zone and challenge himself in the Championship after signing a short-term contract with Bristol City.
The 27-year-old has signed an initial deal until the end of the season after Dan Bentley joined Wolves. Haikin will now provide competition for Max O'Leary in goal with youngster Stefan Bajic joining Valenciennes on loan earlier in the window.
Haikin has been without a club since November when he departed Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. They ended the Eliteserien in second, with the stopper featuring in 27 of their 30 matches.
He has also played in their Europa League campaigns where they shocked Roma and Celtic last season and lost to Arsenal on two occasions in October.
Haikin said it was his decision not to extend his contract in Norway because he had other challenges in his career to fulfil, ones that he hopes can be achieved with the Robins. Speaking to the club's in-house channel, he said: "It was my decision not to extend my contract at my previous club.
"I wanted a fresh challenge and to get out of my comfort zone. This is exactly what this is. I'm challenging myself and joining a very competitive league and a great opportunity.
"I’m looking forward to challenging myself and joining a very competitive league. I want to give 100 per cent and my best for Bristol City.
"I'm looking forward to it because it is a very competitive league as I said and very physical. I really want to test myself and I think I'm ready."
Linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers earlier in the window, Haikin was born in Israel to Russian parents but holds a British passport. He was part of the Dynamo Moscow youth team before having stints in the academies of Chelsea, Portsmouth and Reading while his progress was hampered by visa issues.
After struggling to kickstart his career in England, he moved to Portuguese side Nacional and then Marbella before returning to Russia to play for Mordovia Saransk. Moves to FC Kuban, Bnei Yehuda and Hapoel Kfar Saba would follow in Israel before spending three years with Bodo/Glimt where he won the league title on two occasions.
Speaking of his success, he added: "It's valuable experience to have in your career. Some memorable nights, some good games and I really cherish those. Now they are with me and hopefully, I can get more (memories). There are many, some that are really good, some that are really useful and teach you a lot.
"But they are in the past now and I'm looking forward. It’s always been my goal to return to England so I am really happy to be here and grateful.
"I'm glad I've had those experiences and I've travelled so I feel like I'm flexible to adapt wherever I go. I've met wonderful people. My ambition is to give 100 per cent and it's a challenge. That's why I'm here."
He has also featured for Russia's youth sides from Under-16 to U21 level and has been named on the bench for the senior national set-up. Haikin trained with the club on Wednesday and will be in the squad to take on West Brom on Saturday.
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