Kevin Phillips has turned down a one-year contract offer from West Brom to drop down a division and join Birmingham on a two-year deal.
The 34-year-old former England striker had been holding out for a two-year contract at the Hawthorns but Albion were only prepared to offer one year.
Phillips, who scored 46 goals in 81 appearances for Albion, has now opted to join Blues
He netted 24 goals in 38 appearances last season and was named West Brom's player of the year and included in the PFA Championship team of the year.
West Brom boss Tony Mowbray described Phillips as a "top professional", but stands by his decision to offer the striker just a one-year contract.
Mowbray said: "We made Kevin a very substantial financial offer for the next two years, but in my opinion the second year had to be earned.
"Kevin's advisors were adamant they wanted a straight two-year contract and, as that was the sticking point, I've no problem with the outcome.
"I'm happy that as a club we made a fair and realistic offer to Kevin and I'm obviously disappointed he has chosen not to accept it.
"But I've had a couple of very amicable conversations with Kevin in the past two days and I'd like to thank him for his goals and contribution over the past two seasons. He is a top professional and has been a pleasure to work with. We all wish him well."


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Your Comments
newmanb (West Bromwich Albion fan)
"Irish baggie( Us baggie the fact that Philips got a career ending injury last year and was back in six weeks proves he is worth a two year contact, the guy is super fit, he is a morale lifter for the team in or out of it and could have done some coaching work with the younger but not as good strikers. "
ThePower (West Bromwich Albion fan)
"Who put the ball in the Dingle's Net? Super Kevin Phillips!! At least we get the pleasure of kev doing the business against the wolves again next year. To be fair also back TM and JP on this one i think we would have played more than 19 games and should have backed he undoubted talent. Thanks Kev!!!"
usbaggies (West Bromwich Albion fan)
"Not a disgrace at all. You have to look at K.P's age and remember last year he almost had to retire because of injury. We are spot on by only offering a player of his age a 1 year contract. Of course he is a great player and knows where the net is but we have to make smart business decisions this is why we are a well managed club in the positive not negative. The prem is a different class and although K.P has proved he can score in every league HOWEVER he is getting up there and now its time to move on imagine he has a carrer ending injury second game in which he was close to last year we are stuck with paying him out for 2 years. and find a young up and coming star. Thanks for all your hard work K.P. Boing Boing "
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