Just In: Former Birmingham City player free agent turns 30

A former Birmingham City footballer has been forced to look for a new club after being released from a League Two outfit.

Former Birmingham City striker Omar Bogle has become a free agent after being advised his contract will not be renewed.

The 30-year-old is leaving Newport County after two seasons, as his contract expires and the Exiles decide not to renew him. This season, he appeared in 32 games in all competitions for Wales, scoring eight goals and assisting four others. He scored 27 goals in 86 games for Newport, which finished 15th and 18th, respectively.

Newport County addressed Bogle and the other seven players leaving the club, saying: “The club would like to thank all departing players for their service and commitment to the club and wish them well in the future.”

Bogle, who was born in Birmingham, joined the Blues on a season-long loan in August 2018 while Garry Monk was in charge. He appeared 16 times and scored one league goal, but he had to compete with Lukas Jutkiewicz and Che Adams for a spot and was unable to break through, with Beryly Lubala removing him from the bench.

His loan was terminated six months into the arrangement, and he joined Portsmouth for the remainder of the season, scoring four goals in 14 appearances. His other clubs after leaving Newport were ADO Den Haag, Charlton Athletic, Doncaster Rovers, and Hartlepool United.

Bogle was most prolific when he played for Grimsby Town and Solihull Moors, netting 62 goals in the National League North and 32 goals in 68 National League and League Two appearances with the Mariners.

He has played at the highest level, the Eredivisie, under former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew, as well as in the Championship with Cardiff City, Wigan Athletic, and Blues.