Athletic have signed 26-year-old Birmingham striker Dele Adebola on loan to the end of the season. Adebola, born in Nigeria and a muscular 6ft 3ins, cost Birmingham £1 million when he signed from Crewe four years ago. A serious knee injury has kept him out of league football since April but recent reserve games have helped improve his fitness. Adebola boasts an impressive goalscoring record, including 12 in 23 starts last season. His goals took Birmingham to a Worthington Cup final against Liverpool.
He will go straight into Athletic's squad for the match at leaders Reading on Saturday, though fitness levels may keep him on the bench. Keith Bertschin, reserve-team boss at St Andrews, said: “His fitness is coming back and his strength is there for all to see. He just needs sharpness in his feet so that he retains the ball.”