Blues sign youngster Deaman

Birmingham have signed highly-rated teenager Jack Deaman on a one-year professional contract.

Welsh teenager opts to continue his development in second city

Birmingham have signed highly-rated teenage defender Jack Deaman on a one-year professional contract. The 18-year-old was released by Wrexham over the summer after three years at the Welsh club. A string of suitors had expressed an interest in the centre-half but the Blues were able to fend off their interest to land the youngster. Deaman will now join the Birmingham reserve team where they hope they will be able to hone his skills so that he can become an asset to Chris Hughton's first team. Reserve team manager Richard Beale told the club's official website: "He was offered a contract by Wrexham but offered not to take that contract up, so was a free agent and we became aware of him. "At the same time Norwich, Celtic and Burnley were also interested. But he came on trial with us and played a couple of pre-season games and decided he wanted to come here. "He liked the environment and felt he could learn best in this environment."