Birmingham closing in on Dutch midfielder

Birmingham City are poised to complete the signing of Dutch midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld.

Gary Rowett’s Blues have reportedly triggered the Groningen captain’s release clause, with Kieftenbeld expected to travel to England this week to discuss personal terms.

The 25-year-old, who has five international caps for the Netherlands Under-21s, has scored four goals in over 170 games for the Eredivisie outfit.

Kieftenbeld was left out of the Dutch club’s friendly against Roda JC today, with the midfielder widely expected to becomes Birmingham’s fourth summer signing following the earlier arrivals of Adam Legzdins, Jacques Maghoma and Tomasz Kuszczak at St Andrew’s.