New signing Izzy Iriekpen has spoken of his desire to make an impact – and get on the scoresheet – at Bristol City.

The central defender, released by Scunthorpe earlier this month, has agreed a deal which will keep him at Ashton Gate until at least the end of the season.

"If I can get into the team and start playing well then it will work out for me, and of course the club will benefit too," said the 26-year-old, expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday's home game against Barnsley.

Although he has had no first-team football since December, Iriekpen popped up with a goal that beat Bristol Rovers in a recent behind-closed-doors reserve-team friendly.

"It was nice to get a goal for the reserves with my head," he said.

"I'm a defender who likes to go up for corners and set-pieces and I've already scored goals for Scunthorpe this season because of that."

Iriekpen was all smiles as he posed with a Robins shirt on Friday – a far cry from his expression in the famous picture when he went head-to-head with City boss Gary Johnson in a touchline bust-up during the player's stint at Swansea City.

Iriekpen said: "Maybe the cameraman took it from the wrong angle and I think people mis-read the situation. I was just asking him to sign me. Now a few years later he's done it.

"Seriously, in the heat of the moment it was a passionate thing. Everyone wants to win football matches and you fight for your team. That's the kind of person I am. I'm a winner – I don't like losing.

"I did apologise to him afterwards. He's a good guy and shook hands. I've seen the pictures since – my mum doesn't recognise me in them and I don't even recognise myself in those images! It's behind us now."