With just four first team appearances for Norwich City this season, Grant Hanley always knew that the January transfer window would be important to him.
He represented Scotland during all four of their matches at Euro 2024 last summer and was an integral part in the recent UEFA Nations League campaign, yet he's rarely stepped onto a football pitch in club colours.
But now the experienced defender has been afforded the opportunity to change that as he penned a short-term deal with Birmingham City on Friday.
Birmingham are on-track for promotion back to the English Championship after finding themselves spending the 2024-25 campaign in the third-tier.
They sit top of the division and have Hanley's Scotland teammate Lyndon Dykes, ex-Celtic midfielder Tomoki Iwata, and former Hearts starlet Alex Cochrane among their squad.
"I am delighted to be here," the 33-year-old centre-back said upon his arrival.
"I knew January was going to be a chance for me to move somewhere and get more minutes on the pitch. As soon as I heard Birmingham were interested, and I spoke to the manager, I was delighted to then get it done.
"I am really looking forward to it. Obviously the team are in a fantastic position in the league and still in a couple of cup competitions as well so there are a lot of games to be played. Chris Davies explained where this club is trying to go, so it was a no-brainer for me to want to be part of a club like this."
He was appointed club captain at the start of the 2018/19 season and went on to lift two Sky Bet Championship titles.
Norwich City sporting director Ben Knapper paid tribute to his services by saying: “Grant’s contribution to Norwich City cannot be understated.
“He’s been such an influential figure here for so long, playing a leading role, both on and off the pitch, in a period of real success for the club.
“He’s a true professional and a fantastic leader, and he will leave an indelible mark on our club and everyone connected with it.
“We will all really miss him, but he leaves with our very best wishes and gratitude for his immense contributions to the football club.
“Grant and his family are welcome back at both the Avant Training Centre and Carrow Road at any time, and we look forward to hopefully seeing them all again at some stage soon.”
