New Italian star Benito Carbone has revealed that Dan Petrescu played a huge part in persuading him to join Bradford City.

The Romanian international phoned Carbone in Milan on Tuesday night when the talks appeared to have stalled and again yesterday morning.

His role in helping City conclude one of the most exciting transfer deals in their history have been confirmed by Carbone and praised by chairman Geoffrey Richmond.

Carbone, who has signed the most lucrative four-year deal ever in City's history said: "Dan Petrescu rang and said 'Benny come here. There is a chance to become a big player here'. That is why I am here. It is a very ambitious club.

"It was an important decision for me to make because I don't want to go to the chairman after three or four months and say I want to leave. That is why I took a little longer to make up my mind."

Carbone will make his debut in tonight's friendly against the star-studded Italian side Fiorentina at Valley Parade (7.45pm)

Hutchings sees Carbone being deployed as an out-and-out attacker and Hutchings added: "I hope he's a 20-goal striker. That's what we want and Beni will do his utmost to get that many for us."