Birmingham City make transfer decision on player out-of-contract this summer

Birmingham City have decided to loan out Rico Patterson to National League North outfit Rushall Olympic for the remainder of the season.

The midfielder signed a one-year deal back in January 2023, having earned a scholarship back in 2020, and now Blues will decide whether he has a future at St Andrew's by seeing how he fares in senior football away from the club. He reunites with the mlikes of Callum Sullivan and Rico Browne who have been playing at Rushall.

Patterson is highly-rated and wore the captain's armband for the under-18s team before graduating to the under-21s. He has made 26 appearances for Steve Spooner's side this season, helping them to the top of the Professional Development League North table with four goals.

“I am really excited to be able to get Rico on board,” said manager, Liam McDonald on the official club website.

“I have been after him for quite a while and now the time is right to bring him in.

“He’ll bring creativity in the final third as well as goals, just what we are looking for.

“He’s a good player and someone who will be able to fit in straight away. I am looking forward to getting him on the pitch and involved in the last leg of this particular journey that we are on.”

Patterson could be thrown straight in to the mix when Rushall host Brackley Town at Dales Lane tonight (March 12). Rushall are 20th in the National League North which represents the sixth tier of English football. They are a point above the relegation zone and have nine games remaining in their season.

Birmingham fans who would like to catch Patterson in action for his new club could see him during the international break when Blues aren't in action. They have a home match against relegation rivals Darlington on Saturday, March 23 at 3.00 pm.