Birmingham sign Rangers midfielder Dowell on loan

League One leaders Birmingham City have signed Kieran Dowell on loan from Rangers for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old midfielder becomes Blues' second signing of the January transfer window, after Dowell's former Norwich team-mate Grant Hanley.

Birmingham have three midfielders sidelined - Paik Seung-ho, who has missed the past two league games but is due back soon, Willum Willumsson, who might be out for a few more weeks, and Emil Hansson, who has been out since Christmas.

"It is a good chance for me to come and play football for a team who like to dominate the ball," said Dowell. "I have always thrived playing in teams that like to control the ball."

Dowell began his career at Everton, making five first-team appearances as well as spending time on loan at Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Derby County and Wigan Athletic, but it was at Carrow Road where he flourished, following his move to East Anglia in July 2020.

He scored 12 goals in 76 appearances before signing for Rangers in May 2023.

After Thursday's 1-1 draw at third-placed Wrexham, Chris Davies' Blues are back in action on Tuesday night in Yorkshire against another of their fellow promotion challengers, fourth-placed Huddersfield Town.