Grounds in Brum deal

JONATHAN GROUNDS: “hunger” for Championship football attracted the attention of Birmingham boss Lee Clark.

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ATHLETIC have bowed to the inevitable with the loss of defender Jonathan Grounds to Birmingham City.

The 26 year old, who made over 100 appearances for Athletic, has joined the Championship side on a two-year-deal.

His departure will intensify Lee Johnson’s search for a replacement, though the Athletic manager was already resigned to losing a key member of his back four.

Grounds has previously played under Birmingham manager Lee Clark on loan at Norwich. Clark said: “Jonathan’s versatility is important. He can play as a left-back or left-sided centre half. We conceded far too many goals last season so it was key we strengthened our defence.”



Also heading south is Athletic legend Joe Royle, who has linked up with a member of his successful team from the early 1990s.

Royle (65) has become the football consultant at Norwich City, managed by former Athletic winger Neil Adams.

Royle, who managed Athletic with great success from 1982-1994 and again in 2009, will advise the Canaries’ rookie manager, who was a popuplar winger at Boundary Park during Royle’s first tenure.

Said Adams: “Joe has amassed a vast amount of knowledge.”