Burnley long-serving defender Kevin Long has joined Birmingham City on a permanent deal.

Long joined the Clarets from Cork City back in 2009 and went on to make nearly 100 appearances for the club.

He played 16 times during the 2017/18 Premier League campaign as Burnley achieved a seventh-place finish and qualified for the Europa League under Sean Dyche.

The defender - who has been capped 17 times by the Republic of Ireland - hasn’t featured this term and has agreed a short-term deal with the Blues until the end of the season.

He told the club’s website: I am really looking forward to it. It has been a tough season for me personally at Burnley.

“Being at Burnley has been a big part of my career since I moved to England at 19 and it has just felt like the right time to move on.

“Birmingham is a massive club and I am really excited to be here.”

Birmingham are currently 17th in the Championship table – six points above the drop zone at this stage.

The Blues are back in action on Saturday, January 7 when they make the trip to League One side Forest Green in the FA Cup third round.

Experienced full-back Matt Lowton has also joined Huddersfield Town on loan until the end of the season.

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