Birmingham have completed the signing of Aston Villa's Craig Gardner for £3million.
Villa utility man completes second city switch
Birmingham have completed the signing of Aston Villa's Craig Gardner.
The versatile England Under-21 international moved to St Andrews after the city rivals agreed a fee of £3million.
Gardner tied up his move across the second city on Tuesday after undergoing a medical and finalising personal terms on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
The 23-year-old, who is a Blues fan, is eager for a fresh start after making just three appearances for Martin O'Neill's men this season.
"I'm over the moon, especially being at the club I supported as a boy," he told the club's
official website.
"I just can't wait to get out there, put the shirt on and do well for the club.
Unbelievable
"I have not slept properly for the last three or four days waiting for the deal to be done. Now it's done it's unbelievable."
Gardner becomes Alex McLeish's second signing of the current transfer window following the arrival of midfielder Michel from Sporting Gijon.
Gardner made his Villa debut in December 2005 and has scored six goals in 80 appearances, 31 of which were from the bench.
The Yardley-born player's versatility will boost a Blues side that have gone on a 15-match unbeaten run and are just three points behind seventh-placed Villa in the Premier League table.
However, the deal was not done in time for Gardner to be eligible for Wednesday's trip to Chelsea.
