Devlin signs for Blues

No longer a Blade
By Paul Holmes
May 10 2002

Paul Devlin has made his switch from Sheffield United to Birmingham a permanent one ahead of Sundays Play Off final with Norwich.

30 year old Devlin has made 14 apparances for the Blue noses following his loan switch from The Blades earlier in the season.

Steve Bruce decided to make the move a permanent one with the price tag believed to be around £200,000. The irony is that Devlin left Birmingham to join Sheffield United in 1998.

Bruce is keen to strenghten his squad regardless of what league Birmingham are in next season and sees the tricky forward as an ideal purchase.

Had the deal not been made a permanent one Devlin would have missed out on the Final as his 3 month loan deal would have expired. No doubt this was another factor in Bruce making the purchase.