Birmingham City should capitalise on Plymouth Argyle call to start League One rebuild: View | OneFootball

Now that the dust has settled and the reality of a League One campaign is on the horizon, Birmingham City will need to plan accordingly during this summer’s transfer window.

The Blues will play their football in the third tier for the first time in 30 years when the next campaign gets underway, and will need to rebuild their squad after relegation from the Championship was confirmed earlier this month.

With goalkeeper Neil Etheridge set to be released from St Andrew’s when his contract elapses next month, and fellow shot-stopper John Ruddy’s future at the club still unclear, the Midlands side will have to head into the market for a new man between the sticks for next season.

Callum Burton is one man who has experience of success at the level, and after the glovesman’s recent release from Plymouth Argyle, he could prove to be a shrewd addition for a side sure to be aiming for promotion this time next year.

Callum Burton’s heroics help Plymouth Argyle to League One championship

27-year-old Burton proved to be an unlikely hero for the Greens in their promotion to the second tier in the 22/23 campaign, having filled the gap between the sticks when no.1 Michael Cooper was struck down by injury.

Losing their first choice shot-stopper was a worrying time for everyone at Home Park, but those fears were allayed by the performances that the former Cambridge United man put in to help lead the side to glory come May.

After stepping in partway through a top-of-the-table clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, Burton’s professional performances as the last line of defence helped maintain the Devon side’s momentum in the latter stages of the season, as well as playing his part in the Bristol Motors Trophy.

Penalty saves in the shootout against Cheltenham Town assured his side of a day out at Wembley to go alongside their League One trophy, although the less said about the 4-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the final the better.

With seven clean sheets from his 18 matches last season, there is no question that the goalkeeper has the ability to be a trusted asset for any side in the third tier, and with his history of helping a side to a title at the level he should be snapped up before it’s too late.

After playing south a pivotal part in Argyle’s rise to the Championship, Burton has been something of a spare man this season, with summer recruit Conor Hazard being preferred at the start of the campaign, before Cooper returned to first-team duties later in the season.

As a result, it is no surprise to see the net custodian leave Home Park when his contract elapses next month, with more regular game time in order as he reaches a crucial point in his career.

Birmingham City Neil Etheridge, John Ruddy stance ahead of summer transfer window

City will be on the search for at least one goalkeeper over the summer, with the Blues potentially having to add another should Ruddy not accept terms for the following campaign.

Etheridge [pictured] leaves St Andrew’s after four years with the club, having signed in the summer of 2020, although the Philippines international only mustered two league appearances over the course of the previous season.

The 24-year-old joined the club from Cardiff City, before making 79 appearances during his time in the Midlands, before finding himself relegated in the pecking order behind Ruddy for the past two seasons.

Former Norwich City man Ruddy’s current contract with City is also coming to an end this summer, and with another deal said to be on the table, it is down to the one-cap England international whether he stays with the club for the upcoming campaign.

With or without Ruddy as competition, Burton has proven he can help a side earn promotion in the third tier, and would be a solid no.1, or a more than capable backup option for the Blues next season as the Blues look for an immediate return to the Championship.