DEFENDER Yan Valery has joined Birmingham City on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old has joined up with the Championship side after struggling for game time at Saints this season.

Valery did not feature at all for Saints this season until last month, where he came on twice as a late substitute before making his first Premier League start since June in the defeat to Arsenal.

Valery then returned to the bench and was an unused substitute against Aston Villa on Saturday, with midfielders James Ward-Prowse and Moussa Djenepo preferred at right-back during the contest.

Last season proved difficult for Valery, missing a large chunk of games after being struck down by glandular fever in December 2019 and he has struggled to win a place in the side since.

The Frenchman has made 40 senior appearances for Saints after progressing through the academy.

Aitor Karanka's Birmingham sit 20th in the Championship table.