Brimingham midfielder Craig Gardner will complete a £5million move to Sunderland within 24 hours.
The Blues supporter will end an 18-month spell with his boyhood team and move to the Stadium of Light.
The 24-year-old claimed it was "a dream come true" when he transferred to St Andrew's from local rivals Aston Villa for £3 million in the January 2010 transfer window.
He finished his only full season with the club as top scorer with 10 goals and a Carling Cup winners' medal to his name. But with Blues also suffering relegation, the offer of an immediate return to Premier League football - coupled with Birmingham's need to slash the wage bill - made a move to the north-east a good option for all parties.
Gardner will bolster Steve Bruce's midfielder following the departure of Jordan Henderson to Liverpool.
The Blues supporter will end an 18-month spell with his boyhood team and move to the Stadium of Light.
The 24-year-old claimed it was "a dream come true" when he transferred to St Andrew's from local rivals Aston Villa for £3 million in the January 2010 transfer window.
He finished his only full season with the club as top scorer with 10 goals and a Carling Cup winners' medal to his name. But with Blues also suffering relegation, the offer of an immediate return to Premier League football - coupled with Birmingham's need to slash the wage bill - made a move to the north-east a good option for all parties.
Gardner will bolster Steve Bruce's midfielder following the departure of Jordan Henderson to Liverpool.
ask and it shall be done