Rekeem Harper has left West Brom on loan for the first time his Rovers spell in 2017/18.

Harper was just 17 when he signed for Rovers from the Baggies but his season-long loan was cut short after just nine appearances and one league start.

The midfielder has now joined Championship side Birmingham City on loan for the remainder of the season.

Harper has now played 41 times for West Brom but only three times this season, with two substitute appearances in the Premier League to his name.

Now 20, Harper will be looking to progress his career with loan spell at St Andrew’s under Aitor Karanka.

Harper will have to wait for his Blues debut, with no game this weekend after their FA Cup exit at Manchester City. They are next in action against Coventry City on January 30.

And Karanka will be hoping his new recruit can help improve on a run of six defeats in their last eight matches which has seen them slump to 19th, six points above the relegation spots but having played three games more.

Tony Mowbray tipped Harper for big things when he added him to his promotion-chasing squad in the summer of 2017, but he struggled to push ahead of Richie Smallwood, Corry Evans and Peter Whittingham in the middle of the park.

His first appearance for the club proved to be his sole League One start in a 1-0 win at Scunthorpe United, replaced at the break by Bradley Dack after an injury.

He managed more appearances in the cup competitions than league, starting two EFL Trophy ties and also three in the FA Cup which included a first red card of his career in the 3-3 draw with Crewe Alexandra.

Harper is under contract at The Hawthorns until 2022.