In recent years, Birmingham City’s impulsive spending decisions have led to regrettable consequences. One significant expenditure in 2017 resulted in the sale of St Andrew’s and a nine-point deduction for the club. Another splurge in 2020 created a ripple effect that has only recently been resolved, with the departure of key players such as Neil Etheridge and Scott Hogan.

It remains to be seen if the transfer speculation from last summer will yield long-term benefits, as the immediate result was relegation. Lengthy contracts were awarded to players like Tyler Roberts, Dion Sanderson, and Lee Buchanan, while others like Siriki Dembele and Ethan Laird signed three-year deals.

Despite recent setbacks, Birmingham City has managed to create assets, generating profits from players like Tahith Chong, increasing the value of others such as Juninho Bacuna, and utilizing the loan market reasonably effectively. However, some deals, like those bringing Emanuel Aiwu and Oliver Burke to Blues, appeared shaky from the start.

Nevertheless, Birmingham City has had its share of successful transfers over the past 30 years. Brian Dick has identified the top five in the club’s history, showcasing their ability to make impactful signings despite occasional misses.

Christophe Dugarry

Le God. End of conversation. Yes the French genius’ second season didn’t come anywhere near his first loan spell – but who cares? We’ll always have Southampton.

Dugarry arrived at Blues in January 2003 when they were facing the prospect of an immediate return to the second tier it had taken them 16 years to escape. What followed was inspirational.

Dugarry performed like the World Cup winner he was and a run of five goals in four games secured safety. The vision, the precision, the balletic grace, the joie de vivre, fans had seen nothing like it before and nothing like it since and many consider his display in the 3-2 win over the Saints to be the best single performance by a Blues player ever.

It was brief but it was so beautiful.

Stephen Carr

Blues have shown a knack of picking up free transfers and turning them into club greats. Carr is the poster boy for that.

Aged 32 and after 44 caps with the Republic of Ireland and more than 300 first-team appearances for Tottenham and, Newcastle the right back hung up his boots in December 2008.

Three months later and after a few weeks training, he signed a one-month contract with Blues, which was then extended to the end of the season.

In all the Irishman stayed for three more seasons, played 121 games and lifted the Carling Cup at Wembley in 2011.

He’ll forever be remembered for that – though some might also recall his reaction to barracking from Aston Villa fans.

Mikael Forssell

It seems difficult to believe now but Blues once fielded a strike force that included Dugarry and Mikael Forssell – one of the greatest strikers ever to wear the Royal Blue.

Forssell arrived on loan from Chelsea and scored 17 goals in his first Premiership season with the club, an historic achievement. He returned the following campaign but suffered a bad knee injury just a few weeks in.

No matter, Blues spent £3million to bring him back permanently in 2005 and while injuries continued to blight his time at St Andrew’s he would go on to score 37 goals over a five year spell and confirm himself as the darling of a whole generation of Blues fans.

He and Dugarry are in the pantheon of Birmingham City greats alongside the likes of Trevor Francis, Bob Hatton and Bob Latchford.

Bryan Hughes

Despite his departure from Blues on a sour note, it’s important to acknowledge Bryan Hughes’ significant contributions over his seven-year tenure, amassing nearly 300 appearances. During this time, he showcased remarkable versatility and technical proficiency, making him one of the most skilled midfielders the club had seen in decades.

Hughes transitioned seamlessly between the Championship under Francis and the Premiership under Bruce, demonstrating an impressive ability to distribute passes and find the back of the net, qualities that would have elevated him to superstardom in today’s game.

While he excelled primarily in central midfield, Hughes also made an impact when deployed out wide, showcasing his adaptability. For five consecutive seasons, his presence in the Birmingham City lineup was indispensable, reflecting his importance to the team. His acquisition for £1 million remains one of the club’s most astute investments. However, his departure to Charlton did leave a sense of heartbreak among fans.

Reflecting on his time at the club, Hughes expressed a sense of unfulfilled potential, despite being honored with induction into the Hall of Fame. He believed that he could have achieved legendary status had circumstances been different.

Barry Ferguson

The Scot joined Blues at a low ebb in his career after a brush with the authorities on international duty with Scotland in April 2009. Three months later Blues sent £1.2m ‘up the road’ as Ferguson came down it with a point to prove having not really set the Premiership alight during his time with Blackburn Rovers.

By the time he left St Andrew’s following relegation in 2011 he had made 84 appearances in just two seasons, played at Wembley with a broken rib and established himself as fan-favourite.
Domestically Ferguson won everything there is to win as a Rangers player but his one English trophy will live just as long in the memory.