Birmingham City sign Gary Gardner on loan from Aston Villa

Birmingham City have reached an agreement with West Midlands rivals Aston Villa for the loan signing of midfielder Gary Gardner.

The 26-year-old has been brought in as a direct replacement for long-term absentee David Davis, who fractured his ankle early in pre-season.

Former England Under-21s international Gardner, the brother of fellow Birmingham player Craig, will spend the duration of 2017-18 with the Blues and becomes their fifth addition of the summer transfer window.

Gardner, handed the number 21 shirt at St Andrew's, has also previously had spells out on loan with Coventry City, Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley.

Birmingham also got deals over the line for Lee Camp, Omar Bogle and Connor Mahoney over the past couple of days.