Birmingham City have confirmed the permanent signing of Taylor Gardner-Hickman, with Blues activating their option to make the Bristol City midfielder's stay at St Andrew's permanent at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old joined the League One club on an initial season-long loan during the summer transfer window, with Chris Davies' side holding an option to secure the former West Brom man's signature permanently when the current campaign comes to a close.

Having made the move to Ashton Gate from The Hawthorns initially on loan in the summer of 2023, the Robins took up their option to make Gardner-Hickman's stay permanent last January as he want on to make 40 appearances in all competitions under the management of both Nigel Pearson and Liam Manning.

READ MORE: Bristol City January deadline day live: Updates as Robins and rivals complete late business

READ MORE: Bristol City verdict: Williams on edge, Manning bang on and project clear in Oxford United draw

However, the versatile midfielder was keen to leave the West Country in the summer transfer window as he was eager to play more regular first-team football and after a mixed start at St Andrew's, he has done exactly that.

The 23-year-old has made 21 league appearances so far this term and started all of Birmingham City's last seven matches in all competitions since the turn of the year to help Davies' side in their bid to win promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

With two-thirds of the season now played, Blues have opted to trigger their option to make Gardner-Hickman's stay permanent on transfer deadline day, meaning the versatile midfielder will no longer on the Robins' books in just a few months' time.

Birmingham currently sit top of League One by four points despite having two games in hand on second-placed Wycombe Wanderers and third-placed Wrexham. Davies' side have also booked their place in the semi-finals of the Football League Trophy where they will face Stevenage on Tuesday evening.

Furthermore, Blues have a fourth-round FA Cup clash to look forward to against Newcastle United later in November and Gardner-Hickman will be expected to feature in all of those matches having forced his way into the starting line-up in recent weeks.

READ MORE: Bristol City victims of poor officiating but stupid challenges make it too easy in Oxford draw

READ MORE: Liam Manning shares his transfer deadline day plans as Bristol City issue new squad update