According to Sunderland Nation, Birmingham was able to sign Pritchard from Sunderland for an estimated sum of £100,000 in exchange.
The 30-year-old’s contract at the Stadium of Light was set to expire in the summer, and it was previously claimed that the Blues were willing to wait until then to sign him.
However, the Black Cats were eager to find a buyer for Pritchard when he announced his intention to quit the Wearside club last month. This might be done to avoid conflict and possibly earn a fee for the midfield player while they can.
The Blues may have moved for Michael Beale now because of his side’s desperate need for a buyer; it’s also thought that Turkish Super Lig team Sivasspor and Major League Soccer team Colorado Rapids were willing to make long-term offers to him.
However, Pritchard ultimately decided to stay in the UK and transferred to St Andrew’s after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Connecting with Tony Mowbray along the way, he might be a good addition to the Midlands team.
Why Birmingham City might benefit greatly from Alex Pritchard’s arrival
Prior to joining the Blues, Pritchard made 23 appearances for the Black Cats, recording one goal and five assists.
Although he may have preferred to score more, the 30-year-old’s record is still respectable, and he may prove to be an invaluable asset in the latter stages of his Birmingham career.
To further demonstrate how vital he was to his previous team, Pritchard played rather frequently for the Black Cats during his time at the Stadium of Light, despite Michael Beale’s squad’s emphasis on developing younger players.
Additionally, the fact that he was a regular player for the Wearside club should help him play frequently for Blues without suffering an injury.
That and the fact that he is only thirty and should have at least two or three more seasons at this level left before he may start to deteriorate are encouraging.
He is useful in open play, but he can also influence the course of a game from set pieces, which is advantageous for Birmingham, who will be trying to score as many goals as they can.
Given that Blues spent a good deal of money in the summer, bringing in an experienced player for such a modest cost is a huge plus for them. At £100,000, he might be a fantastic addition quest to abide by financial rules.
Although Birmingham has had some success in the transfer market recently, Pritchard may prove to be their best acquisition for some time.
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