Birmingham City has negotiated a transfer agreement outside the window.
Rico Browne, a former Birmingham City trainee, has signed with League Two club Walsall following a good trial.
Browne turned down a new contract offer at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park in order to pursue first-team play elsewhere, and the Saddlers have signed him. The 20-year-old has signed a one-year contract with a 12-month option for Walsall.
Walsall and Blues have agreed on a compensation package due to Browne’s age and contract offer. Browne joined Walsall alongside Mat Sadler, Ryan Stirk, Charlie Lakin, and loanee George Hall, all of whom were former Blues players.
Browne’s closest experience with the first team at Blues came in the summer of 2023, when he was a member of the club’s training squad in Spain. His participation was confined to under-18 and under-21 football.
Browne, a central defender, spent last season on loan at Rushall Olympic in Walsall, where he appeared 18 times alongside Saddlers midfielder Ronan Maher. Browne attracted Sadler’s attention while he was watching Rushall to monitor Maher’s improvement.
After his transfer was revealed on Thursday evening, Browne wrote on X: “I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone players and staff at BCFC over the last six years. [I] treasured every time and experience we’ve had together and wish you the best.”
