Birmingham City transfer clause triggered for summer move

Sporting Gijon have signed Fran Villalba from Birmingham City on a permanent deal.

Villalba signed for Gijon on loan last summer but, on Monday, David Gallego's side triggered a clause to sign the player on a four-year deal from the summer.

The 23 year-old will officially become a Gijon player from the beginning of July having impressed in the Spanish second tier with four goals and as many assists in 24 games.

Villalba signed for Blues from Valencia back in 2019 and only made 17 appearances for Lee Bowyer 's side, last appearing for the club on December 21 2019.

He spent the second half of the 2019-20 campaign on loan at Almeria and remained there last season, though they didn't trigger an option to buy the player.

Villalba is out of contract at the end of the season at Blues.

"Fran Villalba will be a player owned by Real Sporting for all purposes on July 1, 2022," a Gijon statement read.

"Yesterday, January 31, the Club executed the option to purchase his federative and economic rights contained in the loan agreement signed with Birmingham City last summer.

"In this way, the footballer, who arrived on loan to Gijón, will become a Sporting player until 2026, in accordance with the contract signed between both parties.

"The purchase option executed by the Club is effective as of July 1, when Fran Villalba's new contract begins for the next four seasons.

"Born in Valencia on May 11, 1998, he has played 24 games in LaLiga SmartBank and 4 in the Copa de SM el Rey this season with.

"To date, he has accumulated an outstanding performance with four goals and four assists.

"The Club thanks Fran Villalba for his trust in Real Sporting since last summer and wishes to share many successes together in the coming years."