Wednesday 11 January 2017 21:30, UK
Former Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner has rejoined the Blues on loan from West Brom until the end of the season, ahead of a permanent move.
The 30-year-old previously spent 18 months with Birmingham after joining in January 2010, helping them to win the Carling Cup in 2011, and will sign for a fee - understood by Sky sources to be £1.2m - on a three-year-contract in the summer, with a further year's option.
Gardner, who spent could be back in the Blues squad for Saturday's Championship clash with Nottingham Forest at St Andrew's.
Having left Birmingham for Sunderland, Gardner subsequently moved on to West Brom, and he has made 85 appearances for the Baggies, scoring six goals.
The West Brom website reported: "Craig Gardner has joined Birmingham City on loan until the end of the season.
"The club have no right to recall Gardner and a fee has been agreed to take him to the Blues on a permanent basis at the end of the season."
Gardner signed a new two-year contract at The Hawthorns in October but has only made 10 appearances this season.
And Baggies boss Tony Pulis said: "Craig has done a great job for me and the club, and we were certainly not in any hurry to see him leave.
"But he is desperate to play first team football, which I could not guarantee, and this is a terrific opportunity for him at Birmingham City.
"He goes with our very best wishes."
