Harriers sell Luke Maxwell to Birmingham

Birmingham City have signed midfielder Luke Maxwell from Kidderminster Harriers for an initial £75,000 fee.

The 18-year-old midfielder has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at St Andrews.

As part of the agreement, Maxwell will return immediately to Harriers for the rest of the season on a youth loan.

The Aggborough academy graduate made his first-team debut in December 2014 and has made 32 appearances in league and cup for the National League Premier side.

Harriers chief executive Colin Gordon said: "Luke has earned a lot of admirers and I know this is a move he's delighted to be making.

"Birmingham have been a pleasure to deal with and they know they are getting a player who has the potential to really succeed in the game.

"We've stressed that, as a club, our future has to be creating and producing our own talent and giving them a platform to succeed.

"But as we've proved with this deal, we aren't just concerned with cutting our losses and making a quick sale.

"The transfer benefits the club financially, but it was crucial for us that we were able to keep Luke with us until the end of the season.

"He's a big part of our squad and will play a large role in our battle between now and the end of the campaign."

Gordon confirmed Harriers will receive the £75,000 in staged payments.