David James signs Bristol City

David James has signed for Championship club Bristol City, just a month after he wore his country’s colours in the World Cup

Everyone knows that James has never been the most conventional players. He drives a replica of Del Boy Trotter Reliant Robin, it's no hurry-up in the aisles of airplanes, and he was spotted 6ft 4in bend her body in a seat in economy class on Eurostar, but the signature of the City of Bristol, where he won 53 England caps is an odd position, even for him.

The former Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City player joined Portsmouth following their relegation from the Premier League last season, but there was no shortage of top-flight teams interested in signing. Indeed, he refused approaches from Celtic and Sunderland for the benefit of working under Steve Coppell. And playing in the championship will not help his chances to prolong his international career.

For James, who will be paraded at Ashton Gate on Saturday before its next friendly match against Blackpool again, the question is simple. Playing for the Bristol City guarantees him first team football with a team who are said to match his own ambitions, and means that it is not necessary to shake his family, who are at ease after four years in the south.

"I had offers to stay in the Premier League but it is more important that I play football - I love - the club and be a father," he said. "I had a long talk with Chairman Steve Lansdown, and I liked what he said on the club and its ambition.

"I know all about the plans for a new stadium and the desire to win promotion to the Premier League," he added. "The club is ambitious and that is what I am. The Southwest has not had a club in the Premier League and that must change. "

No doubt the will of James to improve the representation of the region in world football, but perhaps more importantly, this approach will allow him to extend his playing career more than he could have be different if he had joined a Premier League club. He turns 40 on Sunday, and although he only signed for one season, he was given the option of a further year if the match is a good thing.

There are also other advantages. James is understood to have an interest in coaching when his playing career ends, and there are worse ways to pick up tips and ideas on the management of working under Coppell, one of the few that succeeded in more than 1000 matches. http://jodnet.blogspot.com