England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has paid tribute to “trailblazer” Trevor Francis following his death at the age of 69.
Bellingham, who spent his formative years at Birmingham where Francis also made his name as a teenager, thanked him for the guidance he had provided.
Trevor Francis was a footballer best known not for scoring in a European Cup final, earning 52 England appearances or later managing in major finals – all notable achievements – but for one of the game’s historical landmarks, as British football’s first £1million player.
In these days of £100million-plus fees, few now bat an eyelid at modest seven-figure moves but in 1979, when Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest smashed the British transfer record to sign Francis from Birmingham, the sum caused quite a stir.
Birmingham have completed the permanent signing of Poland midfielder Krystian Bielik.
The 25-year-old previously enjoyed two loan spells with Blues but has now signed a three-year deal from Derby for an undisclosed fee.
The EFL has approved Tom Wagner’s imminent investment in Birmingham.
The American financier and his company, Knighthead Capital Management, has agreed to purchase a 45 per cent stake in Blues under Shelby Companies Limited.
Holders Chelsea will travel to Reading in the Women's FA Cup quarter-finals on March 19.
Emma Hayes' side are targeting a third successive title and fifth overall having dispatched Arsenal 2-0 in the fifth round.
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