Birmingham managed to wrap up the loan signing of Teden Mengi until the end of the season and the Man United man has revealed to the club's official website just how much of a role another former Blues face played in helping him agree the deal.

The defender has been linked with several sides but eventually agreed a deal back into the Championship, having previously spent some time on loan in the second tier previously. That stint came at Derby County, where he managed nine appearances and produced some flashes of brilliance.

He hasn't managed to muster any appearances for his parent side Man United though and it therefore comes as no surprise that he is once again being allowed out in pursuit of more regular first-team football.

 

 

At Old Trafford, he could only feature for the academy side but continued to show what he is capable of with them. Now, the Blues will benefit from his presence in the second half of the campaign.

Lee Bowyer will no doubt be delighted to have landed his man - and it's also in an area that the club sorely needed recruits in during the window to boot.

Now, speaking about the deal, Mengi has revealed one key factor in helping decide to come to Birmingham - and that comes from his teammate and former Blues player Tahith Chong.

The Man United forward spent the first half of the season on loan at Birmingham and would still have been at the club now if not for an injury that derailed the deal. He is now back at Old Trafford but clearly enjoyed his time at St Andrews - and has spoken to Mengi about how great the side is, helping him to come to his decision.

Speaking to the club's official website about it, he said: "As soon as I heard about Blues I was straight on the phone to [Tahith] Chongy and he told me it is great, the lads are great, I am going to enjoy it, everyone is a nice person, so I am just looking forward to it."

It means that Chong has certainly had a role in influencing Mengi to go to Birmingham - and the Blues could now benefit from another Red Devils' player in their midst for the rest of the season.

The Verdict

Teden Mengi is a very solid signing - and Birmingham can certainly benefit from having him in the side for the rest of the season.

He is a young and exciting talent and has proven as much for Man United's academy team. In addition, he also already has some Championship experience and he didn't look out of place in the second tier during that previous stint at Derby County.

Lee Bowyer and Birmingham will be delighted to hear that Chong had a good time during his spell at the club and aided in the decision-making process for Mengi. Now, they can benefit from having another talented Red Devils player plying his trade for them in the second half of the season.

However, I feel that Birmingham would benefit even more from having Chong rejoin them alongside Mengi for the rest of the season - and that could certainly be a possibility for the Blues.