Troy Deeney has signed for Birmingham City after leaving Watford, despite speculation that he was Rangers-bound.
Deeney’s departure from Vicarage Road after eleven years with the Hornets was confirmed on Monday and it was briefly thought that he could be on his way to the Gers.
“𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿.” 💛
In an emotional and heartfelt message, Troy Deeney addresses supporters as his 11-year spell at Vicarage Road comes to an end… pic.twitter.com/SQKZSikJGx
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 30, 2021
The rumours came after the striker’s ‘agent’ @disk_1 posted a video taken outside Ibrox to his Instagram story.
However, the Scottish Sun soon asserted that neither Deeney nor his representatives were in Glasgow and that a transfer to Rangers wasn’t on the cards.
RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.
Speculation that the former Watford skipper would instead be signing for his hometown club Birmingham City quickly ramped up and the move to the Blues was confirmed late on Monday night.
TROY DEENEY IS A BLUE! 🔵
We are delighted to announce the signing of @T_Deeney on a two-year deal. Powered by @_FarleyandJones.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) August 30, 2021
“Everyone knows that this is my team, I’ve made that clear in the past but if I was going to join Blues it had to be right for all parties,” said the 33-year-old [Bcfc.com]. “I believe in the existing project here and, having spoken to the Gaffer and Craig [Gardner], can clearly visualise my role in the squad.”
Former Watford skipper Troy Deeney has joined Birmingham City despite links to Rangers. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)
Rangers-linked Deeney signs for Birmingham City
The links to Deeney were brief and it seems clear at this point that there was never a realistic chance of him joining the Gers.
With 47 Premier League goals to his name and 140 in total for Watford, he’s a proven goalscorer who provides a big physical presence up front.
However, he’s past his prime and wouldn’t have improved on the Gers’ current options.
If Steven Gerrard can hold onto all the strikers currently at Ibrox, he has more than enough firepower to retain the Premiership title and progress deep into the Europa League.
In other transfer news, a Premier League club linked with a Rangers star are reportedly close to £30m deal for an alternative option.