Blues land Latka on loan

Birmingham have beaten Middlesbrough to the signature of defender Martin Latka.

Birmingham have clinched the loan signing of Slavia Prague defender Martin Latka.

Latka joins Blues for the remainder of the season but manager Steve Bruce has the option to make the deal permanent in the summer, with a fee in the region of £2 million having already been agreed.

Bruce has beaten off interest from Premiership rivals Middlesbrough to land Latka and the player's agent revealed the St Andrews outfit were the only side who could come to an agreement with the player's Czech employers.

"Birmingham were the only club who fulfilled Slavia's demands," agent Dalibor Lacina confirmed.

The 21-year-old flew to Birmingham on Sunday evening in order to undergo a medical and Latka is now in line to make his Premiership debut in Blues' trip to Liverpool on Wednesday, providing he receives the necessary clearance.

Latka is the second addition to Blues' squad during the January transfer window following the arrival of striker Chris Sutton earlier in the month.