ROMAIN Vincelot’s capture shows that City mean business this season, according to Nathan Clarke.

New owners Edin Rahic and Stefan Rupp paid an undisclosed fee, which could eventually rise to six figures, for the Coventry midfielder.

Clarke played alongside Vincelot with Leyton Orient and believes the 30-year-old’s arrival is an indication of the club’s intent.

The defender said: “I’m not saying the signings who’ve come in already haven’t given the fans that buzz, but certainly when the chairmen are putting in money to buy a player it gives everyone a lift.

“It shows the intention of the owners and the management that we are really trying to build something good here.”

Vincelot, who watched City’s 4-1 defeat to Burnley on Saturday, missed only one league game at Coventry last season and Sky Blues supporters are up in arms at his departure.

Clarke is not surprised by their reaction after seeing his quality at close quarters during two seasons together in east London.

“Romain will bring a fantastic work ethic,” he added. “He’s unbelievable fitness-wise.

“The fans have seen him in action at Orient and he’s just fully committed. You want a player who will always give everything and he’s certainly that guy.

“The manager spoke to me last week and asked how he was as a lad. On and off the field he’s a real team player.

“He was a massive fans favourite at Orient and the Coventry fans are gutted to see him go. It just shows what an important player he is.

“It’s a position he will grow into and I’m sure the supporters here will love him. I’m glad he’s on board.”

Vincelot was mainly used as a defensive midfielder by Coventry but Stuart McCall does not want to restrict him to that role.

The City chief said: “I don’t like pigeon-holing him as a holding midfielder. I want him to go and express himself.

“He’s been used as a holding midfielder but I feel he can do both. He got 12 goals in his first season at Dagenham.

“I’m not so keen about having this number ‘six’ and an ‘eight’. Both can do both roles.

“Timothee Dieng can do both, he can get in the box. He can also hold and set the play and I thought he was terrific on Saturday.”

Clarke backs Vincelot’s ability to get forward and score goals – and says he is also an unexpected threat from set-pieces.

“He scores goals and for his size, he’s fantastic in the air. He’s got it down to a bit of a knack arriving late in the box.

“That will be something in his game from corners as well and he scored some important goals for Orient. Hopefully he can get off to a flyer here.

“You speak to everyone who has played against him and they know how good he is. He speaks fantastic English and he’s the perfect lad to have.”

Burnley striker Andre Gray, who scored the first two goals, condemned the behaviour of a fan who was ejected for shouting racial abuse at City winger Mark Marshall.

Referee Geoff Eltringham spoke to both managers after the incident, which saw one away supporter removed from the ground along with a friend.

Gray took to Twitter to attack spectators who still live in the “stone ages”.