Birmingham City: Wolves' Dion Sanderson joins on loan; Gary Gardner signs new deal
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Birmingham City midfielder Gary Gardner is about to start his fourth full season at the Championship
Birmingham City midfielder Gary Gardner has signed a new deal with Blues, tying him to Lee Bowyer's Championship club until June 2024.
Gardner was originally signed on loan for Blues from Aston Villa by then boss Garry Monk in August 2018.
"At 29, I feel I'm reaching my peak. With the gaffer coming in last season, we're in a really good place," he said.
Meanwhile, Blues have signed defender Dion Sanderson, 21, on a season's loan from Premier League neighbours Wolves.
Sanderson has only made one Wolves first-team appearance, but has spent time on loan with both Cardiff City and Sunderland.
"I'm a quick centre-half that likes to play football," he said. "Technically I think I am very good, but I am aggressive as well and don't like to give strikers any chances."
Sanderson is Blues' seventh summer transfer - and their third loan signing from the Premier League following Chelsea defender Juan Castillo and Manchester United winger Tahith Chong.
After last season's early success under Bowyer, when Blues comfortably avoided relegation in the end, there is now a renewed sense of optimism at the club as they prepare for an 11th straight season at second-tier level.
"We've had a tough couple of years," said Gardner. "But that last 10 games of the season was the most ]exciting and enjoyable time I've had at the club.
"We've all got that buzz back and we feel like we can kick on."
Gardner had a year remaining on the three-year contract he signed when he made his move to Birmingham in June 2019, a deal that took fellow midfielder Jota to Villa - but he has now chosen to take up the option of extending that contract and try to add to his tally of eight goals in 118 appearances.
His elder brother is Craig Gardner, the former Villa, Sunderland, West Brom and Blues midfielder, who has since remained on the Birmingham backroom staff, now as technical director.
Lee Bowyer's other summer signings
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.