Dugarry leaves Blues for family

Christophe Dugarry claims he has parted company with Birmingham because his relatives had too many problems adapting to the English way of life.

The 31-year-old, a World Cup and European Championship winner with France, joined the club on loan in January 2003 and proved an unexpected hit at St Andrews, inspiring the club to a late-season run which kept them in the Barclaycard Premiership.

He signed a permanent deal on the final day of last season but has struggled with a recurring knee problem this season and, it now transpires, family issues.

Dugarry explained in L’Equipe today that life had become a nightmare for him as his wife and kids were not happy in England and returned to Bordeaux a few months ago.

“Frankly, I was living on my own in the past six months because my family did not like living there at all and my son had problems at school,” Dugarry said.

“Since the club have nothing to fear nor to hope for anymore we agreed to part company on good terms.”

Dugarry has scored just one goal for the midlands club this season and has made just 12 league starts.