Birmingham City to keep out-of-contract players following relegation to League One

Relegation to League One is expected to make this summer considerably busier for Birmingham City. After the post-season inquest is completed, a reconstruction will be required.

In addition to many players under contract whose futures are uncertain, the Blues have eight senior players nearing the conclusion of their contracts. They will find out in the next days and weeks if they are part of the future plans.

First-team regulars John Ruddy, Marc Roberts, Ivan Sunjic, and club captain Lukas Jutkiewicz are among those whose contracts expire in July. Experienced players Neil Etheridge, Gary Gardner, Keshi Anderson, and Scott Hogan will also see their contracts expire soon.

Many of them out of contract are on expensive pre-pandemic contracts issued by former CEO Xuandong Ren before Blues cut their cloth. Find out when the Blues’ contracts expire below.

2024

Neil Etheridge, John Ruddy, Marc Roberts (with option), Marcel Oakley, Ivan Sunjic, Gary Gardner, Keshi Anderson (with option), Scott Hogan, Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Six of those who are not under contract this summer are over the age of 30. While several have options to extend, including Keshi Anderson, who joined the club on a free transfer in July, the Blues are poised to release a number of the aforementioned players.

Ivan Sunjic, 27, has been one of the Blues’ most used players this season, but he will almost certainly have to accept a big pay cut if he wants to stay until the summer. Ruddy, an experienced goalkeeper, has been dealing with short-term contracts since the age of 30, and he recently confirmed that no negotiations have occurred.

When asked if the Blues had contacted him about a new deal, Ruddy replied, “Not really. I believe there are several players in the same predicament, both with contracts and on loan. But as long as we’re at this club, we have to give our all to earn this badge.”

Jutkiewicz, the Blues’ longest-serving player, is also reaching the conclusion of his existing contract. At the time, he said: “You have to earn things in this game and making sure, whether you’re the oldest player or the youngest player, you keep earning the trust of the manager and from a wider perspective getting the trust of the football club to earn a new contract.”

2025

Jordan James (with option), Koji Miyoshi (with option), Juninho Bacuna.

Crucially, the Blues have the option to extend Jordan James’ contract by another year. James drew substantial interest during the January transfer window, and the Blues are expecting more bids in the summer. According to BirminghamLive, Koji Miyoshi’s contract includes the potential for an extension.

2026

Manny Longelo, Ethan Laird, Josh Williams, Krystian Bielik, Siriki Dembele, George Hall, Alfie Chang, Alex Pritchard, Paik Seung-ho.

2027

Dion Sanderson, Tyler Roberts.

2028

Lee Buchanan.

Who should Blues keep this summer?

While the majority of the squad underperformed this season, there are some dependable players among those out of contract. Sunjic appears unlikely to stay, while Neil Etheridge and Scott Hogan have already left owing to a lack of playing time.

Based on what John Ruddy, who had 11 clean sheets last season, said in March, it’s impossible to see him playing in League One. Having said that, the fact that he was selected captain for the remaining three games demonstrates how highly he is regarded by many within the club. Ruddy is a leader in every sense of the term and may be valuable in League One.