Exclusive: Emile Heskey backs Birmingham City to sign 25-year-old - It's a "great step" | OneFootball

Former Birmingham City frontman believes Swansea City defender Harry Darling would be an ideal signing for Blues due to his second tier experience.

Former Birmingham City frontman Emile Heskey believes a move for Swansea City defender Harry Darling would be ideal due to his abundance of Championship experience.

After smashing the record League One points tally and resoundingly lifting the third-tier title, the West Midlands outfit are expected to be significantly backed financially by Tom Wagner as they search for a return to the Premier League as quickly as possible, but Blues will first have to build a squad that can compete in such a relentless 46-game campaign.

One area that will need addressing is in central defence, with Birmingham requiring a resolute backline in order to push themselves away from any relegation danger.

The Birmingham hierarchy clearly have similar thoughts, with Blues linked with a move for Swansea City defender Harry Darling.

The Swans club captain looks likely to move on from South Wales on a free transfer despite Swansea’s best efforts to tie him down to a new deal, which would be a cheap move for an EFL club to explore this summer.

Blues are apparently in a race for his signature alongside Sheffield United and Wrexham, so will have to act quickly to land the 25-year-old.

From the rumours, ex-Blues forward Emile Heskey has spoken to FLW about how important Darling could be to the Birmingham setup if a move to Knighthead Park develops.

Emile Heskey backs Harry Darling to add “Championship pedigree” to Birmingham City’s backline

Speaking exclusively to Football League World (via Poker Scout), Heskey, who scored 16 goals from 78 appearances for Blues between 2004 and 2006, admitted Birmingham need players with second tier experience to help make the step-up in class, and a signing like Harry Darling fits the profile.

Heskey said: “He’s (Darling) got that Championship pedigree and that’s what you need. It’s very difficult at times when your owners or CEO trying to put a squad together. You really want to give the opportunity to the lads that got you there, but there are levels that you need to step up and to be competitive, and you soon find that out very quickly.

“They’ll find out who can cut it in the Championship and who can’t, and what they need to do to take that next step, but it would be a great step for Darling as he’s got pedigree in the Championship who understands the Championship’s needs.

“The Championship is a very fast and relentless league. I played in it with Bolton, and it’s non-stop, so you need robust figures and players.”

Harry Darling would be a leader for Birmingham City

Harry Darling would be an exceptional signing for Birmingham City to complete on a free transfer, with the 25-year-old establishing himself as a Championship mainstay for three years.

Darling has been an ever-present figure since joining Swansea from MK Dons, with such regular gametime giving the defender a great chance of blossoming in the West Midlands should he link up there.

While Blues do have a healthy number of options in central defence, Darling would be head and shoulders above all of them in terms of quality and second tier knowhow, and that will be so vital to maintaining a solid shape and keeping the goals conceded to a minimum.