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South Korean star Kim Bo-Kyung has revealed the red rebranding of the club’s colours was a major factor in his decision to join Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds’ billionaire backer, Vincent Tan, introduced the controversial new shirts to try to foster links between the club and Asia.

And when it comes to 22-year-old Kim, already a huge name back in his home nation, that looks to have paid off.

In his first interview since joining City, Kim insisted playing in those red shirts was a big reason why he came to the Welsh capital.

Kim, a forward thinking wide-man who can play on either flank, was handed his first taste of British football in the Bluebirds’ 2-0 win over Millwall on Tuesday.

Manager Malky Mackay gave him a 10-minute cameo appearance as a substitute, Kim’s first outing since his £2.5m move from Japanese outfit Cerezo Osaka in July.

The Korean ace admitted the pace of the Millwall action had come as a bit of a surprise to him after playing his football before in Asia.

But he maintains he is determined to acclimatise to the English game as quickly as he can and help the Bluebirds towards their Premier League dream.

“The reason I joined Cardiff is because I like the kit colour, the strategy that the club had with the change of kit colour,” said Kim via an interpreter.

“And also the head coach, Malky Mackay. I wanted to work with him that was another big reason I came here.

“But it was not easy for me to be honest to make the decision to join Cardiff.

“It is a very new experience for me. I’ve never played in Europe before, like England or Germany or these type of countries. So I did not find it so easy to make the choice.

“I’m not sure if there was Premier League interest in me, but I am happy to be at Cardiff now.

“Cardiff itself is not too big a city and I like that about it. The coach and staff already have been very helpful with me so I’m enjoying it.”

From a rural area in the north east of South Korea, Kim, dropped out of university in 2010 to sign for Cerezo Osaka.

He made 41 appearances for Osaka scoring 15 goals and also had a loan spell at Japanese Division Two side. Oita Trinita, where he turned out 27 times scoring eight goals in the process.

On Tuesday he got that first taste of the rigours of the Championship as he was introduced in the 80th minute in south London to replace goal scorer Craig Noone.

Kim admits his brief appearance against the Lions was a bit of a culture shock.

“It did seem very different to matches in Japan and Korea, more of a physical game and the speed of it was a lot quicker than I have experienced before,” said Kim.

“I need to learn things here first, the league style and find some kind of harmony with the league and my fellow players.

“ I will do my best to accommodate myself to that.”

Kim proved one of the stars of the recent Olympics and as South Korea finished third he grabbed a goal and was named in the team of the tournament.

Big things are expected of him in his home nation.

He was chosen to take over the South Korean number seven shirt worn by former Manchester United midfielder, Park Ji-Sung when he retired from international football.

Despite his tender years, Kim already has 14 senior caps and has found the net twice at international level.

You would expect his main desire was to seize a Cardiff City shirt from one of his teammates in the Welsh capital.

But Kim, who has signed a three-year contract, believes he is in no rush..

“I’ve only been here a month so far, so I’m not looking at anyone in the squad as my rival,” said Kim. “I want to be a member of Cardiff City and take my time to settle in.

“We have a squad here I believe which is capable of making the Premier League. This club can go from strength to strength.”

And as he starts to settle in at his new club, Kim revealed he has already formed a friendship with a Cardiff teammate who knows the city better than most, home-town idol , Craig Bellamy.

Kim said it has been the Wales international who has taken him under his wing since he arrived here.

“I am very close to Craig Bellamy. He always comes to me to talk and to try to help me.

“He is trying to take care of me, but he is like that with every players here. Craig has been very, very welcoming,” said Kim.

City fans have to hope that together, a bit of Wales and Korea can help the club reach Premier League dreamland.