Birmingham City receive transfer windfall after League Two club sign free agent
Birmingham City have earned some money through developing a player that has since joined a League Two club.
Walsall have signed defender Rico Browne and as a result, Birmingham City have profited.
The 20-year-old was one of several players who departed St Andrew's in the summer, and now over a month into the season, he has landed at a new club. He's signed a one-year deal with an option of another season with the Saddlers.
Ben Sadler, the CEO of Walsall, revealed in a social media post that Browne wasn’t released by Birmingham in the summer, and that is why there is a cost behind the transfer.
Despite receiving a contract offer, he turned down the chance to remain at St Andrew’s, and as a result, Birmingham retained their rights to compensation. Whichever club Browne joined, his next club would have to pay a fee, and thankfully Birmingham and Walsall came to a swift and amicable resolution.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Browne said to the official club website.
“I’ve had a good 10 days and I’ve really enjoyed it.
“The quality and the standard is really high and that’s what I’ve been looking for.
“The plans the Head Coach has for the rest of the season suited what I’ve been looking for and I’ve felt really comfortable since I came in.”
Browne never made a competitive appearance for Birmingham, but he did feature for their under-18 and under-21 teams after joining six years ago from Elche. The St.Kitts & Nevis under-17 international spent a period of last season out on loan with Rushall Olympic in the National League North, and he is now tasked with making the step up to League Two, which is two divisions above where he is playing last season.
Walsall are in the same EFL Trophy group as Birmingham, but the two sides have already played, with the visitors coming away with a bonus point after winning on penalties at the start of September. His move is subject to EFL clearance but should everything go through before midday on Friday, Browne could make his debut when Walsall play Salford City on Saturday (September 21).