Released Blues midfielder Rekeem Harper has joined League One Burton Albion on a two-year deal.
The 23-year-old’s Town contract was terminated by mutual consent yesterday following a disappointing two years at Portman Road.
"It felt like the right time of my career and the right club and the right manager to really spring me forward,” Harper told the Brewers official website.
"Whenever you sign for a new club there is excitement and you just want to meet the rest of the boys and get going.
"It’s great being a Birmingham boy to be here as there’s no place like home and being able to have family around me and supporting me.
"The manager has seen the strengths in my game and seen the things to work on. He has ambitions and as a player I share those visions.
Burton manager Dino Maamria added: "He's a top midfielder who had a lot of success at a young age but hasn't really been settled after being sent out on loan, which is not easy sometimes.
"What he liked about us is that we have given him a home for the next two years and hopefully beyond that. He's still only 23 but already has a lot of experience. But he can still develop and improve. We are delighted to have him here.”
Harper joined the Blues in the summer of 2021 from West Brom for a fee understood to be in the region of £500,000, signing a three-year deal.
The former England U17 and U19 international started the 2021/22 season in Paul Cook’s side but gradually drifted out of the picture and wasn’t involved after Kieran McKenna took over as boss and was sent on loan to Crewe Alexandra for the second half of the campaign.
Having started the Carabao Cup defeat to Colchester United, Harper was sent on loan to Exeter for the rest of last season where he made 16 starts and seven sub appearances.
In total, the Birmingham-born schemer made 11 starts - six in the league - and eight sub appearances for the Blues without scoring.