Diao completes Birmingham loan move

Birmingham have completed the signing of Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao on loan until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old Diao confirmed to Blues' manager Steve Bruce that he would be joining the club in a telephone call late on Monday evening.

Diao had spoken earlier yesterday to Aston Villa manager David O'Leary but has instead opted to link up with Blues and he trained with his new team-mates for the first time today.

Diao is seen by Bruce as a short-term replacement for Robbie Savage who is expected to move to Blackburn this week.

But the option is there for a deal to become permanent in the summer if Diao impresses Bruce during the next few months.

He moved to Anfield in the summer of 2002 for a fee in excess of £3million after playing a big part in Senegal's run to the World Cup quarter-finals in Japan.

He has made 61 appearances for the Reds but this season has made only four Barclays Premiership starts, although he has been in most of the squads chosen by Rafael Benitez.

Diao will go straight into the Birmingham squad for the home game with Fulham on Saturday and Bruce hopes he can add the steel in the centre of the park that has been lacking in Savage's absence.

Blues have plenty of midfielders when everyone is fit but no-one of the same combative nature as Savage whose desire to quit the club and move to Ewood Park has been granted amidst much acrimony.