Birmingham City transfer ‘on the verge’ of completion as West Brom deal finalised

Birmingham City defender Kevin Long is on the verge of joining Toronto FC in Canada after falling slightly out of favour at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

The 17-time Republic of Ireland international has been a superb utility option for Blues since signing in January 2023 and he was even a regular starter for a sustained period under John Eustace. Injuries since have broken his momentum, however, with both Wayne Rooney and Tony Mowbray often preferring other options.

Blues have Dion Sanderson, Marc Roberts and Emanuel Aiwu as three natural centre halves, while full-backs Cody Drameh and Lee Buchanan are more than capable of stepping infield. Krystian Bielik is a regular starter, too, with Mowbray moving the Poland international from midfield to defence since joining.

Toronto, who play in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, start their 2024 season on February 25 against Cincinnati. Long will take on the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets later in the campaign as Toronto are scheduled to face David Beckham's Inter Miami.

Long, who has turned out for Burnley, Accrington Stanley, Barnsley, Rochdale, Portsmouth and Cork City in the past, leaves Birmingham having made 40 appearances across all competitions.

Meanwhile, West Brom complete transfer

In other West Midlands transfer news, West Bromwich Albion have confirmed the signing of experienced midfielder Yann M'Vila on a short-term deal. The 33-year-old, who has turned out for the likes of Sunderland, Inter Milan and Saint-Ettiene in the past, joins the Baggies until the end of the 2023/24 season.

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Predominantly a defensive midfielder but also capable of playing at centre-back, M'Vila has worked with Albion head coach Carlos Corberan before as the pair were colleagues at Olympiacos in 2022. A former France international with 22 caps, including several appearances at UEFA EURO 2012, M'Vila will wear the number 22 shirt for West Brom.