‘Championship pedigree' - Birmingham City told to beat Norwich and Wrexham to bargain deal for free agent gem
Birmingham have been linked with a highly-rated 25-year-old Championship defender
Former Birmingham City and Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has urged the Blues to make a move for in-demand Championship defender Harry Darling this summer.
Birmingham are preparing for life back in the second tier of English football after a memorable campaign in League One which saw them steamroll their way to the title with a record-breaking 111 points from 46 matches.
Chris Davies’ side were the dominant force throughout the season and will feel they have the financial clout to challenge for promotion once again next season as they look to reach the promised land of the Premier League for the first time since 2010/11.
Emile Heskey tips Birmingham to sign Harry Darling
Former England international Emile Heskey, who won promotion from the Championship with Leicester City in 1995/96 feels Harry Darling would be a great addition to the Blues defence for next season as they aim to stake a claim for back-to-back promotions.
Heskey explained, via Football League World: “He’s (Darling) got that Championship pedigree and that’s what you need. It’s very difficult at times when your owners or CEO trying to put a squad together. You really want to give the opportunity to the lads that got you there, but there are levels that you need to step up and to be competitive, and you soon find that out very quickly.
“They’ll find out who can cut it in the Championship and who can’t, and what they need to do to take that next step, but it would be a great step for Darling as he’s got pedigree in the Championship who understands the Championship’s needs. The Championship is a very fast and relentless league. I played in it with Bolton, and it’s non-stop, so you need robust figures and players.”
What next for Harry Darling?
Cambridge United academy graduate Harry Darling joined Swansea City from MK Dons in 2022 after a terrific campaign which saw him score seven times in 41 matches at League One level. He signed a three year deal with the Swans at the time and has been a key figure in a back line that has helped fend off the threat of relegation with three commendable mid-table finishes.
Overall, the 25-year-old has racked up 112 appearances for Swansea across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists. He’s just enjoyed his best campaign to date with five goals in 39 matches while establishing himself as a key fan favourite at the heart of defence.
However, he’s now in the final few weeks of his contract in South Wales and looks increasingly likely to depart on a free transfer despite the club’s best efforts to tie him down to a new deal. EFL Analysis claims Norwich City are one of the leading contenders to sign Darling after the appointment of Liam Manning but adds that Stoke City are also showing interest along with newly promoted Wrexham and Birmingham City.