Last season, Birmingham City loaned out three senior players after they were deemed surplus to manager Chris Davies' requirements. Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Marc Leonard, and Scott Wright—each signed during the summer 2024 overhaul that brought 17 new players—found themselves playing away from St. Andrew’s in the 2025/26 campaign.
Gardner-Hickman, initially brought in on loan from Bristol City before a £1.5 million permanent transfer, played a key role in Birmingham’s promotion from League One. However, he was not part of Davies' plans for the following season and was loaned to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.
At Blackburn, Gardner-Hickman faced a challenging season. Manager Valerien Ismael, who had previously worked with him at West Brom, praised his development over the years. Blackburn struggled initially, sitting in relegation territory before Ismael’s February departure. Under new manager Michael O’Neill, the team rallied to finish 20th, securing their Championship status. Gardner-Hickman made 31 appearances, starting 23 matches, and was instrumental in their survival. Though Blackburn had an option to buy, the midfielder will return to Birmingham. Reflecting on his season, Gardner-Hickman described it as a “rollercoaster,” acknowledging the fight required to overcome tough circumstances.
READ MORE: ‘Very relaxing’ duck garden fountain is £62 off and brings ‘instant joy’
Marc Leonard’s loan move to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership was one of the more notable transfers of the season. A fan favorite at Birmingham, Leonard moved north after half a season in the Championship. At Hearts, managed by former Bristol City boss Derek McIness, Leonard quickly adapted, stepping in for the injured Cammy Devlin. He contributed one goal and three assists in 13 starts, becoming a mainstay in the squad.
Unfortunately, Leonard’s campaign was cut short by a devastating Achilles injury against Motherwell with just two games left. Hearts Standard praised him as “the team’s best January signing and one of the top Premiership additions,” emphasizing his importance during a critical stretch. Had injuries not intervened, Birmingham might have secured a valuable transfer fee for him this summer.
Scott Wright’s loan story was more frustrating. Struggling with injuries during his time at Birmingham, including an ACL tear, Wright returned to fitness in January only to find competition fierce from Patrick Roberts and Carlos Vicente on the right wing. Consequently, he was loaned to Dundee in Scotland to gain more minutes.
Unfortunately, Wright’s injury woes persisted. He managed just nine appearances and scored once for Dundee, with recurring minor injuries limiting his impact. Dundee manager Steven Pressley expressed frustration at Wright’s physical setbacks, noting the missed training time prevented momentum. Though Wright showed glimpses of his talent when fit, he never achieved consistent game time throughout his season away from Birmingham.
In summary, Birmingham City’s trio of 2024 signings out on loan in 2025 had diverse experiences: Gardner-Hickman played a key role in Blackburn’s survival, Leonard excelled in Scotland before injury struck, while Wright battled fitness issues that limited his progress. Their returns to Birmingham will pose interesting questions as the club plans its next steps.