"I'm not surprised" - Birmingham City claim made amid fresh Alex Pritchard news | OneFootball

Alex Pritchard has left Birmingham City after just six months

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City and Alex Pritchard have parted ways just six months after the experienced midfielder joined the club, as he opted to join Sivasspor.

It was a period that won't bring much fondness to either the club or Pritchard himself, despite being signed by his former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray back in January.

However, not many people could have foreseen that half a year down the line, Birmingham would be gearing towards their first season at League One level since 1995, with the club suffering relegation under the interim guidance of Gary Rowett, before Mowbray was fully replaced by the highly-rated Chris Davies.

The former Liverpool, Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur assistant has begun a much-needed rebuild in B9, but the man who tasted promotion via the League One play-offs in 2022 won't be a part of his squad as he seeks a new challenge abroad.

Birmingham City stance offered on Alex Pritchard exit

Despite being a technically-gifted and creative spark throughout his career in England, it's fair to say the expectant crowd at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park rarely saw the best the 31-year-old has to offer.

Pritchard made just nine appearances for the Second City outfit, with his solitary goal contribution being an assist for a stooping Lukas Jutkiewicz header to equalise against Hull City on March 5th.

Speaking to Football League World, our Blues' fan pundit Mike Gibbs isn't surprised regarding the midfielder's swift exit, but believes he could have done a job this upcoming season.

"I'm not surprised at all with Alex Pritchard," Gibbs began. "I think it was kind of expected, and it's the best move for all parties."

"I think he could've had an impact in League One. He had a great season with Sunderland a few years ago, but I think it's the right move for all concerned."

"We're actually relatively OK and well-stocked with forward players, so as long as we're able to keep a number of them, I think it's a good move for us and definitely the right thing to do," he added.

"I'm hearing rumours of a decent fee as well, so not only will we have covered what we paid, we could hopefully make a bit of a profit, as well as getting a two-year contract off the books," our fan pundit concluded.

Alex Pritchard reveals reasons behind B9 departure

After his switch to the Turkish Süper Lig outfit was confirmed, the former Norwich City and Huddersfield Town man has given his thought process behind moving to the New Sivas 4 Eylül Stadium.

“I’ve got to the stage in my career where it’s time for a new beginning, a different place, a different culture. I’ve looked closely at this league throughout the years and I can say it’s just getting stronger. This club has made a lot of effort to bring me here so I will do my utmost to repay them," he stated via Birmingham Live.

The same club made an offer to prize Pritchard away from the Stadium of Light in January before moving to the Second City, and the midfielder is pleased that the keenness to pursue a deal remained despite his and Birmingham's major dip in form.

“Last season there was big interest and for certain reasons it didn’t happen. That’s life, that’s football, that’s in the past now."

He concluded: “I just want to say thank you to people that made it happen. I give a lot of credit to people in the background. I think we all know it’s been leading for a long time for this to happen, I’m thankful that it’s happened now and I’m looking forward to our journey together.”

Birmingham City sourcing more-than adequate Alex Pritchard replacement

Unlike other transfers, a potential incoming can soften the blow of an outgoing, but in this case, Birmingham are sourcing a more-than adequate replacement without showing any ill-feeling towards Pritchard's exit.

That's because, according to the Mirror's David Anderson, who reports that Blues are closing in on a £450,000 deal for Brighton and Hove Albion's Marc Leonard.

Leonard has been the subject of previous interest from clubs in the Championship, but after two years of making a name for himself at fellow third tier outfit Northampton Town, the former Hearts youth player is set to join Davies' and Tom Wagner's project.