Ex-Blackburn players move as Birmingham make big statement

Amari'i Bell, Isaac Olafe - Luton Town/Stockport County to Charlton Athletic (Free/Reported £1.5m)

There is a former Rovers contingent now growing at The Valley with Amari'i Bell making the move to Charlton Athletic. It's little surprise he's teaming up with Nathan Jones again and joins Thomas Kaminski in making the move this week.

As a wide centre-back, Bell re-ignited his career at Luton under Jones after leaving Blackburn Rovers. Having experienced the highs of promotion to the Premier League, he left Luton following their relegation to League One.

Bell signs a two-year deal with The Addicks and will face Rovers in September. "It's a fresh start for me and one that I'm looking forward to as Charlton are on the way back up," he said.

"It's another chance to work with Nathan who is a great manager who knows how to get the best out of his players, and he certainly does for me. It's going to be a great time."

At the top end of the pitch, Isaac Olafe is a big signing for Charlton. He is the perfect physical profile for a Jones team; he's quick, strong, powerful and adept in the air.

If Charlton are going to be a team that defends their box well and hurts teams with their pace and athleticism, Olafe might be the perfect foil. He has been a key player for Stockport in their rise up the divisions and that's reflected in the chunky fee.

What's clear is Olafe is a bit rough around the edges but if those parts of his game can be refined, he is the perfect modern-day number nine. Lots of potential for a big sell-on here.

Both Bell and Olafe are clever pick-ups, on top of Thomas Kaminski, who joined early this week. I fancy them to stay up based on their early recruitment.

James Beadle, Tommy Doyle, Demarai Gray, Bright Osayi-Samuel - Brighton/Wolves/Al Ettifaq/Fenerbahce - Birmingham City (Loan, loan, free, free)

A hat-trick of statement additions for Birmingham City this week, who feel as though they have arrived in The Championship transfer market.

Whilst they have not paid big transfer fees to acquire these three players, they will not be cheap on salary and send a statement. Tommy Doyle has been a Premier League midfielder for two years and won promotion with Sheffield United the last time he played at this level.

Gray's homecoming is a nice story for Blues fans. He's been playing in Saudi Arabia so it's not too clear what level he's performing at but you'd expect him to be too good for the level.

Osayi-Samuel was last seen tearing it up for Queens Park Rangers before a three-year stint in Turkey. Either as a right-back or winger, he will provide pace and energy down the flanks for Chris Davies' side.

James Beadle has just won the Under-21 European Championships with England and has spent the last 18 months in the division at Sheffield Wednesday. He'll be good competition for Ryan Allsop and suits the possession-based football Birmingham want to play.

Danny Ward - Leicester City to Wrexham (Free)

Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward has returned to his boyhood club, Wrexham.

The 32-year-old is a product of their academy and made one senior for the club in 2011. Now as a senior player, he will provide competition to Arthur Okonkwo and Championship experience in the dressing room.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden - Aston Villa to Coventry City (Reported £3.5m)

Coventry City are stocking up on their full-backs after paying a decent sum to sign Kaine Kesler-Hayden. He impressed on loan at Preston North End last term.

There's little doubt he is worth that outlay but it begs the question as to whether Coventry needed him. Though KKH can play on the left, he's a right-back by trade and Milan Van Ewijk is already a Championship leader in that position.

It will be interesting to see how he's used by Frank Lampard.