Blues swoop for Phillips - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Blues swoop for Phillips

Birmingham have signed veteran striker Kevin Phillips on a free transfer from West Brom.

The 34-year-old former England international had been holding out for a two-year contract at the Hawthorns but Albion were only prepared to offer one year.

Phillips, who scored 46 goals in 81 appearances for Albion, has now opted to join Blues on a two-year contract.

He netted 24 goals in 38 appearances last season and was named West Brom's player of the year and included in the PFA Championship team of the year.

The Baggies revealed they did offer Phillips a two-year contract - but with the second dependent on appearances over the coming season.

He needed to feature in only 19 league games, including substitute appearances, to activate the second year.

Manager Tony Mowbray said: "We made Kevin a very substantial financial offer for the next two years but in my opinion the second year had to be earned.

"Kevin's advisors were adamant they wanted a straight two-year contract and, as that was the sticking point, I have no problem with the outcome.

"I am happy that as a club we made a fair and realistic offer to Kevin and I'm obviously disappointed he has chosen not to accept it. But I've had a couple of very amicable conversations with Kevin in the past two days.

"Now that he has made his decision, I would like to thank him for his goals and contribution over the past two seasons."

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
'He’s a better ex than he was a husband', says Boris Johnson's ex wife

A better ex than husband

We talk to Boris Johnson's ex wife
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London