Birmingham sign Gardner from local rivals Villa

Birmingham raided local rivals Aston Villa to sign former England Under-21 midfielder Craig Gardner for three million pounds on Tuesday.

Gardner, 23, agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Alex McLeish’s team after opting to quit Villa Park in search of more regular first-team action.

He had made just 32 league starts for Villa since making his debut in 2005 and becomes Birmingham’s second signing of the transfer window following McLeish’s swoop for Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel.

McLeish, bolstered by new owner Carson Yeung’s funds, also admitted he is keen to sign a striker and winger before the transfer window closes on February 1.

He is interested in Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, while Liverpool winger Ryan Babel is another target.

“I am building a squad. We have to have a squad of players and it is about enhancing the quality as you go along – and Craig Gardner will enhance the quality of the squad,” McLeish said.

“From two years ago to now, this is a major signing for us because we wouldn’t have been able to do this two seasons ago.

“Are any other deals close to being completed? There is nothing close but we are trying a couple of things.

“I still believe we have to spend some more money to bring in a striker and a wide man for more cover.”