Former Blues loanee Guirane N’Daw has joined Greek top flight side Asteras on a one-year deal. The Senegalese international spent the whole of 2012/13 on loan at Portman Road and was released by his parent club, French side St Etienne, at the end of June.
The 29-year-old’s agent recently said that his player would be interested in a return to Portman Road but boss Mick McCarthy played down the chances of N'Daw's return, saying he had already assembled his squad, citing Cole Skuse as the one-time Birmingham loanee’s replacement.
As we reported last week, in addition to Asteras and other Greek sides, Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday were also recently showing interest in signing N’Daw.
The midfielder made 32 starts and two sub appearances for Town, scoring his only goal in the 3-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, we understand the Blues have been keeping tabs on Barnet winger Keanu Marsh-Brown, who was claimed to be the subject of a Town enquiry shortly before the transfer window closed on Monday.
While that report overstated the Blues’ interest, Marsh-Brown, 21, was the reason development coach Mark Kennedy was recently spotted at the Hive, while other members of the club’s scouting staff have also watched the Skrill Premier club this season.
One-time Fulham youngster Marsh-Brown faced the Blues during their 1-0 pre-season victory over the Bees in July, his cross leading to the home side's first-half penalty.
Elsewhere, former Blue Owen Garvan has reacted angrily to being left out of Crystal Palace's 25-man Premier League squad by manager Ian Holloway, tweeting: "I’ll be here longer than he will… trust me.”
Garvan, who only signed a new two-year contract with the Eagles in the summer, has already been linked with a loan move to Bolton, whose manager is former Palace boss Dougie Freedman.