Blues Striker Asante Pens 1 Month Loan Deal With Shrewsbury Town

Asante signs a 1 month loan deal at the Gay Meadow, despite being highly linked to start off the season in the Blues squad.

Birmingham City striker Akwasi Asante has re-joined Shrewsbury Town on a 1 month loan deal as Clark feels that the Dutch forward’s services may not be needed early on in the season. Asante has only made 1 appearance for the blues as he has struggled to win competition over veteran strikers Marlon King, Nikola Zigic & Peter Lovenkrands, depsite signing a new contract at St Andrews last month.

The pacey forward is just what Shrewsbury are looking for due to the departure of Marvin Morgan as Asante is most likely to take his place in the starting 11 for the beginning of the new campaign. As this is only a month loan, Shrewsbury fans will be skeptical on why the deal was not made on longer terms as blues fans will see the purpose of the deal as a positive sign. Many supporters at St Andrews believed this could be Asante’s year as it may just well be. A short term loan to kick off the striker’s season could send him back into the Championship with a more “in-game” mentality as he lacks major playing time on the pitch. The only fear would be an extension of the loan deal and the departure of Marlon King, leaving blues in a striking crisis. However this situation is highly unlikely as blues are not short of attacking options and blues boss Lee Clark ready to pounce for replacements.

A good signing for the Shrews as they will look to exploit the striker’s pace early on in the season to help them achieve a more higher finish in this year’s footballing campaign. At only 21 years of age, Asante is hungry for first team action as this move could potentially help him find his shooting boots and possibly gain him a future spot in Birmingham’s tarting 11.

Anelka Joins West Bromwich Albion On A 2 Year Deal

Anelka signs a 2 year contract at the Hawthorns as he returns to England.

Nicholas Anelka has returned to the Premier League after his proposed move to West Bromwich Albion was completed earlier today on a free transfer. The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG striker has passed his medical and completes a 2 year deal at the Hawthorns which sees him at the club until 2015.

Anelka left England in 2011 as he felt that it was time for a change due to ex-Chelsea boss Andre Villas Boas not having the French man in his plans. This led Anelka to join Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua in which he was given the role as a player manager with a reported salary of 170,ooo pounds a week. It was also confirmed that his former striking partner Didier Drogba would also join the Chinese club as they both experienced short spells which ended early due to lifestyle purposes. This saw the former French international leave China for Italian champions Juventus in which he experienced a 5 month loan in Turin.

After the capture of Carlos Tevez, Juventus decided to drop their interest in bringing Anelka back to the club which saw West Brom enquire about the Frenchman’s services. The 34 year old has had previous spells with English clubs such as Bolton, Manchester City, Liverpool and not forgetting his memorable youth career with Arsenal. Anelka boasts a Premier League total of 460 appearances netting 159 times. He also boasts a fantastic award cabinet as the striker has 2 Premier League titles, 2 FA cups, 1 Champions League, 1 Serie A title, 1 European UEFA football championship and 3 PFA awards. Anelka is certantly a proven top class goalscorer but the only thing that would worry West Brom fans is his high wages and mature age. Never the less an exciting signing for the Baggies as Steve Clarke adds a touch of world class to the squad. Definitely a signing to keep an eye out for in the new campaign as he just may raise a few eyebrows.

Nathan Redmond Joins Norwich City On A 4 Year Deal

Redmond will link up with former blues boss Chris Hughton on a 4 year deal.

Norwich City have completed the transfer of Nathan Redmond from Birmingham City on a 4 year contract. The deal is reportedly worth a transfer sum of 3-4 million pounds which will see the winger at Carrow Road until 2017. Redmond will now link up with former boss Chris Hughton who decided it was time that the player had his chance in the Premier League after being part of the unsuccessful promotion playoff team of 2011/2012 in which nearly saw blues return to the top flight.

The 19 year old was Birmingham’s second youngest debut player as he made his first appearance for the club in 2010 at only the age of 16. The pacey English under-21 winger has made 62 caps for the blues in which he netted 7 times putting in  many impressive performances which finally gained him attention from the Premier League. Redmond had also been heavily tracked by Brian Laudrupp’s Swansea as Norwich won the winger’s signature which is most probably down to the persuasion from former Birmingham boss Hughton.

After a disastrous European campaign with England, Redmond still showed glimpses of his ability as he will certaintly be a player to watch out for in the new Premier League campaign. Redmond joins striker Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and defender Javier Garrido on their arrivals to Carrow Road as Hughton will be looking to steer the club towards a higher direction. A fantastic player who is certaintly a natural talent will excite the Norwich fans as he possesses top ball control, vision, blistering pace and even an eye for goal. A player who always gives 110% on the pitch will be dearly missed by blues fans as this departure was bound to take place. We wish Nathan all the best at his new club.

Birmingham Welcome 2 New Additions To The Squad As Transfer Business Continues

Birmingham City have added further depth to their squad as they have completed the signing of Fulham defender Dan Burn and Mansfield striker Matt Green earlier today. Burn joins the blues on a season long loan as Green pens a 2 year deal at St Andrews. Due to the departures of Curtis Davies, Steven Caldwell and Pablo Ibanez, blues boss Lee Clark has been forced to bring in several centerbacks for the 2013/2014 campaign as a shortage of natural centerbacks is present in the squad.

Big centerback Dan Burn completes his loan move to Birmingham City.

After impressing on loan to Yeovil last season, Birmingham decided to go ahead with the deal for the 6 foot 6 defender as Burn fits the bill perfectly to pair up with yesterday’s second loan signing Kyle Bartley. The big centerback made 34 league appearances for Yeovil netting twice as he helped them gain promotion to the Npower Championship. Burn signed for Fulham back in 2011 at only the age of 19 in which he was sent out on loan 1 year after his move to Craven Cottage. A huge centerback who is realy starting to impress could be one of the fans’ favourites next season as Blues fans are ecstatic over his move. After several shambolic defensive performances last season, Clark is making it his priority to shore up the defence for the pre-season campaign as the capture of Burn and Bartley look promising.

However, Clark has also snapped up 26 year old impressive striker Matt Green after his release from Mansfield. In 2011 Green joined the East Midlands club in which he managed to rack up an extremely impressive record. The 6 foot striker made 87 league appearances in 2 years in which he netted a remarkable 54 times. According to recent sources, Green also has alot of pace to burn which is what blues have been lacking in a starting striker. This could potentially mean the exit of strikers such as Peter Lovenkrands and Marlon King as blues boss Clark looks on to further slash his wage bill due to the financial situation of the club. Green could prove to be a golden signing as this move is definitely worth a shot.

Blues Fans will be thrilled over these 2 new signings as they are both hungry for first team action and to impress on their championship debuts. A quick striker who has recently found top form and a towering centerback who is rapidly improving are expected to make immediate impacts at the club. We wish them the best of luck at St Andrews.

Green also completes a 2 year deal at the club.

Swansea’s Kyle Bartley Joins Birmingham On Season Long Loan

Kyle Bartley joins the Blues on a season long loan deal.

Swansea defender Kyle Bartley has completed his move to championship side Birmingham City on a season long loan. Bartley is one of 2 expected loan signings expected to be unveiled this week as boss Lee Clark looks to find a replacement for Curtis Davies following his move to newly promoted Hull City.

The 22 year old started his career at the Emirates as he was sent out on loan to Sheffield Utd  in 2010. After 35 league appearances for the blades, Bartley decided to take up the loan opportunity to join former Scottish champions Rangers in 2011 in which he made a total of 24 league appearances. As Bartley’s loan expired, Swansea decided to offer the young defender a place in the first team squad. However due to being surplus to requirements Bartley failed to break into the first team and experienced much time on the sidelines. After making only 2 appearances last season, this loan deal looks vital for the player’s career as he is roaring to go for the new 2013/2014 championship campaign.

Bartley told BCFC.com earlier today: “It’s great news. As soon as my agent mentioned the move then I was all for it because this is a massive club with a massive fan base. I know the manager well and he’s a really good young manager who matches the club’s ambition.”

Blues fans will be motivated with this signing as this young versatile defender fits the bill perfectly. A player who possesses experience in both Scottish, League 1 and Premiership football is a player that blues will need at the back to fill in the boots of  ex-veteran Davies. Bartley has also played Champions League football under Arsenal as he made his European debut against Greek Giants Olympiakos in 2009. A fantastic signing for the blues as a name that is familiar amongst football fans joins St. Andrews in times of financial struggle. Birmingham have also been keeping tracks on former Celtic winger Paddy McCourt, ex Northampton defender Liam Davies,  and 26 year old Mansfield striker Matt Green. However the exit of Blues starlet Nathan Redmond is near enough a done deal as former blues boss Chris Hughton is days away from completing the deal which will see the England uner-21 international sign for Norwich.

Robert Hall Joins Bolton On 3 Year Contract

Robert Hall pens 3 year deal at the Reebok Stadium

Robert Hall’s loan move back to Birmingham has been put to an end as the winger has signed a 3 year contract with championship side Bolton Wanderers. Hall completes his move to the Reebok as his contract with the Hammers expired at the end of the season. As blues boss Lee Clark was keen to bring Hall back in on loan to St Andrews, Hall chose the option to join Bolton as he spent several weeks of the previous season with the club.

The 19 year old is seeking compensation with the Hammers as no contract was re-offered, despite signing for Bolton today. Hall only made 1 appearance for Bolton last season as he looks to build on this and a place in the starting eleven. A good signing for Bolton fans as this player has bags of energy, pace to burn and an eye for goal at only the age of 19.

Davies Joins Hull On 3 Year Contract – Blues Eye up 2 Loan Replacements

Davies completes move to Hull on a 3 year deal.

Hull City have completed the signing of experienced center back Curtis Davies from Birmingham City on a 3 year deal. Davies joins former blues boss Steve Bruce in the top flight as new boys Hull look to maintain their Premier League status after gaining promotion in the previous championship campaign. The fee is reportedly worth an estimated 2.5 million pounds as cash strapped blues cannot deny Davies’ top service in his 2 years at the club. Bruce has been an admirer of Davies since his days in the midlands and highly believed that the big center back would fit the bill perfectly.

Clark has previously stated that key players will most likely leave St. Andrews as blues will welcome 2 new Premier League experienced defenders later this week as replacements for Davies. The 28 year old hd has his fair share of the midlands clubs as he has had experience with Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and even Leicester City. Curtis signed for the blues in 2011 in which saw him spend 2 full years at St Andrews in which he netted 11 times in 89 league appearances. Davies has turned down several chances to joing teams in the Premier League and believed that this was a chance that he had to take.

He stated previously today: “I can’t wait for Chelsea on the first day of the season now, hopefully I can help this team to have a good season and push as high up the table as possible”. As this is something Birmingham could not offer, Clark faced no choices but to let the big defender go. However, with the contract extension of Wade Elliott and the signing of athletic midfielder Adayemi, blues will soon reveal the mystery defenders that wil be brought in on loan. Even though Birmingham are in a financial mess, St Andrews is still working on promising transfer deals. We wish Curtis the best of luck in the top flight.

Blues Boss Clark Faces Many Departures

Clark believes many exits are needed in order to help the club’s financial situation

Lee Clark has stated that  further exits out of St. Andrews are needed  in order to clear the club’s high wage bill. Cash strapped Birmingham City are in deep water due to owner Carson Yeung being accused of several accounts of money laundering which has put the West Midlands club in financial turmoil. Clark has stated that he is not far away from choosing which players will be allowed to leave the club in order for him to focus on bringing in players with a much lower salary.

Hull City are preparing a formal bid for the Blues’ talisman Curtis Davies in which no fan at St. Andrews would like to see depart. Other players who could possibly face the exit door for financial reasons are veteran strikers Marlon King and ex-Danish international Peter Lovenkrands. These players do give blues their current identity, however in order for the club to stay afloat they may have to make way. Also under-achievers such as Hayden Mullins and Darren Ambrose are also an option as blues fans would not particularly be as concerned if this midfield pairing left the club.

Young talent Nathan Redmond is certaintly a player that Birmingham would not like to see leave through the exit door as he offers pace, trickory and excitement to the blues team. Nickola Zigic is set to honour his contract until the end of the season as the big Serb takes up a whopping 65,000 pounds a week in wages. Maybe putting the 6 foot 8 striker for sale could salvage the future of other players at the club, however these decisions will be made by Clark very soon.

Clark told the Birmingham Mail today that several enquiries have been made for the more experienced Birmingham players in which the club will take into consideration. Birmingham face this battle with their hands tied behind their backs as blues boss Clark is in a helpess situation with no financial backing.

Birmingham See Several Renewed Contracts

Promising blues prospect Callum Reilly put pen to paper earlier today which sees him at the club for a further two years. Birmingham will also be encouraged for next season’s promotion push as USA defensive midfielder Jonathan Spector has also agreed to remain with the club for the new upcoming 2013/2014 campaign when he returns from his wedding in the United States. Cash strapped Birmingham City are seeking several key signings for the new season as they have also re-captured left back Paul Robinson from the baggies on a one year contract. Also the likes of young Akwasi Asante has decided to remain at the club as the pacey striker looks to gain more first team action.

However, the likes of talisman defender Curtis Davies’ future at the club seems foggy as former blues boss Steve Bruce is interested in bringing the defender up north. Curtis has served the club well and will find it extremely difficult to once again turn down premier league football which Birmingham have not been able to offer for several years. Also the likes of 6 foot 8 striker Nikola Zigic look set to leave the club at the end of the new campaign as blues have decided not to reniew the striker’s contract which expires at the end of the new season. Zigic has reportedly been on 65,000 a week which is putting the club’s wage bill in deep water.

The club will now look to offer new deals to England Under-21 winger Nathan Redmond and possibly striker Marlon King who are all close to seeing their contracts run out. Also, midfielder Wade Elliot has been offered a new contract as fans and the club await his approval/disapproval.