Birmingham City announce surprise player exit - Charlton, Portsmouth & Rotherham should now pounce | OneFootball

Keshi Anderson has departed Birmingham City by mutual consent after two-and-a-half years

It has been confirmed that after two-and-a-half years at Birmingham City, experienced attacker Keshi Anderson has seen his contract terminated six months ahead of schedule after a mutual agreement with the West Midlands club.

Despite the fact his position - predominantly on the left-wing - is one which Chris Davies' side are currently lacking depth in whilst targeting further reinforcements alongside the currently sidelined Demarai Gray, Anderson will play no further part in Blues' quest for the Championship play-off places.

The experienced winger was one of many signings recruited in John Eustace's final window in charge at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park in the summer of 2023, which was also the first under American ownership group, Knighthead Capital Management.

After initially penning a one-year deal on a free transfer after departing his former club, Blackpool, following the Tangerines' relegation back to League One, Anderson signed a contract extension until the summer of 2026, despite the fact Blues would suffer the same fate at the end of his first season in B9.

However, the Luton native did become one of many firm favourites during the Second City side's remarkable campaign last term, in which they romped to the third tier title through an accumulation of 111 points, with Anderson scoring nine times and providing a further eight assists across 48 appearances in all competitions.

However, the current campaign has been one of frustration for the 30-year-old, who had only made 19 appearances in the Championship, with his solitary goal coming in the 4-0 rout over Portsmouth on November 1st.

Only seven of those outings would be from the starting lineup too. But, after making 92 appearances in all for Blues, he is now on the lookout for new employers.

With that in mind, Football League World have identified THREE clubs who should be on red alert, with the possibility of a free transfer now on the cards.

Charlton Athletic

The first of the three clubs in question are Charlton Athletic, who have endured more of a topsy-turvy Championship season than Blues, despite the pair earning promotion from the third tier last term.

Nathan Jones has been able to recruit several players with a wealth of Championship experience on a limited budget, and Anderson now falls into that category with his signature, once again, available on a free transfer.

Whilst it has clearly been successful for the Welshman, some supporters of other clubs, and indeed, the Addicks, would admit that the direct style in which his team operates may not be the most aesthetically-pleasing on the eye.

However, the South London side are clearly lacking in depth in wide areas, with Onel Hernandez, who was also signed on a free agent deal earlier in the season, currently sidelined, leaving Tyrese Campbell with very little competition for his starting berth, whilst links to Tom Lawrence, currently of Perth Glory, have recently surfaced.

Although he may not start every game, this could be a possible move for Anderson, who may also link up with his ex-St. Andrew's colleague, Lyndon Dykes, who completed his own switch to The Valley on Thursday in an initial deal until the end of the campaign.

It has also been a season of frustration for Portsmouth, with John Mousinho's side struggling to create and take chances that come their way on a regular basis despite bolstering their attacking options in the summer.

In their survival bid last term, the South Coast side were extremely reliant on the output of Josh Murphy, who achieved the joint-highest number of assists in the division with 14.

However, the experienced wide player has missed a fair chunk of the current campaign due to injury, with Mousinho recently revealing that the ex-Norwich City man could still be absent for at least the next three to four weeks as Pompey look to fight off the threat of relegation.

Harvey Blair has attempted to step up in his absence, but the ex-Liverpool man is now also sidelined after suffering a hip flexor issue in the first half of the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal last weekend.

Anderson, of course, was absent earlier in the season for Blues, but had started against Sheffield United and Watford within the last month prior to his release, meaning that match fitness and sharpness, at this stage, should not be an issue.

Again, Portsmouth do not have the same financial resources as many divisional rivals, making a deal for the winger, even on a short-term basis, a potentially smart move.

Rotherham United

It has been a disappointing season in League One for Rotherham United thus far, as the Millers are currently the division's joint-second-lowest scorers, as well as being inside the relegation zone at present.

Matt Hamshaw is on the lookout for fresh attacking reinforcements, as demonstrated by the recent loan capture of Leeds United's highly-rated attacker, Harry Gray, as well as being heavily linked with ex-Millwall winger, Duncan Watmore, on a free transfer.

It remains to be seen whether the Mancunian, who has extensive Championship experience, will eventually sign a contract at the New York Stadium, meaning, if Hamshaw is not prepared to wait much longer, he could eye up a swoop for Anderson.

Anderson is capable of featuring on either wing, meaning his versatility would be a welcome boost when it comes to improving the South Yorkshire side's creative output, having registered 23 goal contributions across 83 previous appearances at the level too.

It may not be the most expensive deal - in terms of wages - for the third tier strugglers to strike too, with Capology ESTIMATING