Birmingham get Faddy – official

Birmingham have signed striker James McFadden from Everton on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an initial fee of £5million.

The 24-year-old Scotland international signed before noon, meaning he is eligible to face Chelsea at St Andrews tomorrow afternoon. The club have included an option for a further two years in the contract and the transfer fee could rise to £6million depending on appearances.

McFadden is boss Alex McLeish’s second signing in two days, following the capture of Hibs left-back David Murphy for £1.5million, rising to £2.5million depending on Birmingham retaining their Premier League status and appearances.

McLeish was quoted by BBC Sport as saying: “He is not just a guy who can score great goals. He can also create, make things happen and he has a big heart. James is the type of player you know you are going to get everything from for the entire 90 minutes of a game

“He has matured. He has had his initiation at Everton in the Premier League and for me he is a definite Premier League player. He has shown that in a very good Everton side this season. When he has come into the side, I am not so sure anyone has looked as good as him.”

The past two days have been fairly encouraging given there was speculation that McLeish had only a £5million January transfer budget to play with – £6.5million in two days (and potentially £8.5million) – and more signings are expected to follow before the window closes at the end of the month.