Gary Gardner sends positive Birmingham City message as fresh agreement is sealed | OneFootball

Gary Gardner has put pen to paper on a two year contract extension at Birmingham City, with the original deal running out after this upcoming season Lee Bowyer has tied him down at St. Andrew’s until June 2024. It was announced on the club’s website this morning.

The 29-year-old spoke about the new lease of life Bowyer’s appointment in March and the subsequent good form has had on the club.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted and really happy to spend the most important time of my career at this football club. At 29, I feel like I’m reaching my peak and with the gaffer coming in last season, we’re in a really good place so I’m buzzing to sign a new deal.

“We’ve had a tough couple of years, but the last ten games of the season was the most exciting and enjoyable time I’ve had at the club. We’ve all got that buzz back and we feel like we can kick on now.

“I feel wanted and valued here and it’s what all players want.”

The Blues have finished in one of the five immediate positions above the relegation zone in all of the last five seasons, 17th their highest finish in that time. Gardner is keen to ensure they do not face that relegation anxiety once again this term.

Gardner continued: “We’ve missed the supporters massively. There were times last season when we really needed them because they’ve pushed us over the line so many times.

“I’ve played over 100 games for Blues now and it’s time we had a bit of success here. I’m ready to play my part to push this club as far as it can go.”

The Verdict

Gardner’s clear affinity with the club and its supporters combined with his reliability on the pitch make this a step in the right direction for Birmingham.

He has made close to 40 appearances for the club in each of the last three seasons and maintaining the continuity of the squad is important for The Blues to push on. Especially after Bowyer built such solid foundations at the back end of 2020/21.

There is an experienced core to Birmingham’s squad with bags of Championship metal, the exciting attacking additions of Tahith Chong, Jordan Graham and Chuks Aneke should see a fresh look to the dour predictable style of the past few years.