Released Blues defender or midfielder Paul Digby has joined League Two Mansfield Town.
Digby was told that Town would not be taking up an option for a further year on his contract towards the end of the season having signed for the Blues from Barnsley on a free transfer last summer following a loan spell during the second half of the previous campaign.
"He has had a lot of competition and he needs to go and play," manager Mick McCarthy said when announcing Digby's departure.
"There’s no point in him traipsing around sitting on the bench, sitting in the stand watching us, he needs to go and play some football.
"I think Diggers will have a career then somewhere but he’s not going to play in my first team if Chambo’s still here and Tommy Smith and Adam Webster, he’s not going to play in front of them.”
The 22-year-old is pleased to be joining the Stags, who are managed by former Boston, Crawley, Rotherham and Leeds boss Steve Evans.
"I'm really excited to be here," he told Mansfield’s official website. "It's a club with great ambitions for next season, with a good manager in place and great owners. I'm delighted to be here.
"There's a real optimism around the club and that excites you as a player. You want to be fighting for promotions.
"The manager has won nine promotions and that speaks for itself. He knows how to get the best out of his team. Now I've signed, I can't wait to get started."
Former England U19 and U20 international Digby spent most of his time at Town playing at centre-half but Mansfield plan to use him in midfield, the role he usually occupied during his time with the Tykes.
In total, Digby made seven starts and five sub appearances for the Blues without scoring.
Mansfield have also signed ex-Blues winger Paul Anderson, 28, who left Northampton at the end of the season.