Birmingham City has confirmed its latest acquisition, landing Ethan Laird, the 21-year-old defender from Manchester United, as part of a multi-year agreement.
The full-back, known for his attacking prowess, has signed a three-year contract with Birmingham, becoming the club's fifth recruit this summer following the signings of Tyler Roberts, Koji Miyoshi, Kevin Long, and Krystian Bielik.
Laird's move marks the end of his tenure at Manchester United, where he ascended through the ranks of the academy and played two matches in the 2019/20 Europa League season against Astana and AZ Alkmaar. The full-back has previously played for Tahith Chong, now a vital component of Birmingham's team under manager John Eustace.
In addition to his experience at Manchester United, Laird comes equipped with Championship experience from his successful loan spells with MK Dons, Swansea City, Bournemouth, and most recently, Queens Park Rangers. During his time at QPR, he demonstrated his value, making 33 appearances and scoring his first senior goal in a 3-1 win over Hull City.
Laird, who also played for England at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 levels, will add depth to Birmingham's right-back position, especially as Maxime Colin's contract is set to conclude this week. Despite being part of Bournemouth's 2022 Championship promotion campaign, Laird played a more significant role during his tenure at QPR.
Birmingham City, which has a solid rapport with United through the loan arrangement of Hannibal for the 2022/23 season, anticipates Laird's debut against Swansea in the Championship season opener. His first home game is likely to be against Leeds United at St Andrew's.
Speaking about his move, Laird expressed his excitement, saying, "It is a new step, a new pathway now, and I am excited to get started. I feel like this is the time where I get to showcase myself and not really think about anything else."
As Laird embarks on his new journey with Birmingham, his former club, Manchester United, wished him the best, stating they would be keeping an eye on his progress.
