£1.5m Birmingham City transfer option revealed after Bristol City admission

The 22-year-old joined Blues on a season-long loan from the Robins, returning to the Midlands 12 months after he left West Brom. He had made 36 appearances for the West Country outfit in the previous season with 22 starts but fell down the pecking order with Joe Williams and Jason Knight preferred ahead of him.

He found himself as an unused substitute in Bristol City's opening two Championship games, and shortly after an opportunity to join Birmingham arose. A move to St Andrew's quickly took place, and he was able to make his debut in the 2-1 win over Leyton Orient at the weekend.

When asked whether the move orchestrated by the club or the player, Bristol City manager Liam Manning said: “Probably a bit of both.

“I think I've had real honest conversations with Tayls.

“They're getting someone great with Tayls. He's got some qualities that we like, but at the same point, when you look at the group and the level increasing - not just in terms of the level but also the competition within it - ultimately nobody's guaranteed a start. Everybody has to fight, to compete.

“Obviously when you look at it, Knighty and Joe have started so well that then he was going to have to fight and be patient and wait for that. But he came to see me and ultimately had more assurances that he was going to start elsewhere.”

Since his arrival, Gardner-Hickman was given the number 19 shirt which Jordan James wore, and he could be considered a like for like replacement for the Wales international. He made a good account of himself at Brisbane Road on the weekend with Chris Davies hailing him for his display.

Speaking to Birmingham Live, Davies said: "“He was neat and tidy with the ball, made good choices, and he was robust and physical in the defensive work that he had to do.

"He was disciplined in this positioning and I thought he contributed really well. He gave us good energy in that area when we needed it.”

As part of Gardner-Hickman’s loan agreement there is an option-to-buy at the end should all parties entertain making it permanent. Bristol City could stand to make a profit on him if Bristol Live’s report is anything to go by, as apparently the agreed fee between the two clubs is £1.5m.