Fulham close in on Birmingham City youngster Foday Nabay

Birmingham City manager Lee Clark has expressed his disappointment at the loss of teenager Foday Nabay, who has been granted his wish to join Fulham due to family reasons.

The 40-year-old, who spent six years as a player at Craven Cottage, said that the Sierra Leone-born midfielder was in his plans for the first team this season, but wished him all the best at his former stomping ground.

"I made it abundantly clear to Foday in several meetings with him that he had the potential to become the youngest-ever player to play for Birmingham City Football Club's first team this season at the age of 15," Clark told the club's official website.

"That was how highly I rate him and how highly the club rate him. He's going to a super club in Fulham because I know them very well having spent seven great years there myself but I just wish we could have had the time to make him part of my current group.

"It wasn't to be, he's made the decision, we wish him all the best for future and we'll move forward."

The England Under-16 international joined the Blues' academy in 2006.