Birmingham City have endured a tough start to the season after a whirlwind transfer window that saw a huge turnover of players, and then eventually a change in manager.

One player who has benefited from Steve Cotterill arriving to replace Harry Redknapp is Maikel Kieftenbeld, who was involved in one of the most bizarre transfer stories of recent times on deadline day.

The Dutch midfielder was all set to join former boss Gary Rowett at Derby but paperwork issues meant the deal fell through and he is now back playing for Blues.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Kieftenbeld revealed he had no desire to leave the club and was only told on the final day that he wasn't needed. “It was a bit weird. Honestly it was a s*** feeling for me because I had played here for two years and I really liked it.”

Since then, he has forced his way back into the team and was delighted with the ovation he got from the Blues fans on his return.

“It was really special for me, they could have thought 'f*** you Kieft, go to Derby because your head is there'. But no, they knew how it was, they knew me as a player and that I didn't give up.”

The Verdict

The Kieftenbeld to Derby transfer was a long process but Birmingham will be glad that it all fell through and it appears the midfielder is too.

Clearly he had no future under Harry Redknapp, but since Cotterill has come in, the Dutchman has performed reasonably well and been one of Blues' better players.

The way the fans greeted his return is also pleasing and it obviously meant a lot to the 27-year old who will be desperate to get the team out of the mess they are in.

Thoughts, Blues fans? Let us know in the comments below.