Gary Gardner joined Blues on a three-year contract in the summer of 2019 for an undisclosed fee from Aston Villa.

The midfielder's permanent deal came on the back of a successful season long loan at Blues, where he made 39 Championship starts and one substitute appearance, netting twice.

He fitted in seamlessly into the side and produced consistent performances in the heart of midfield.

The Solihull-born Blues fan also created a bit of Blues history when he and brother Craig both played in the same side, becoming only the second pair of siblings to do so for the Club.

Gardner began his career at Villa, coming through the Academy ranks to make his senior debut in December 2011, after earlier spending time at Coventry City on the first of many loan spells.

Gardner had also been loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley, before finding his true calling at the St. Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium.