King signs for Birmingham

Striker Marlon King has joined Birmingham after turning down a new contract with npower Championship rivals Coventry.

The 31-year-old former Gillingham, Nottingham Forest, Watford and Wigan striker has signed a pre-contract agreement to join his new club on July 1.

King joined Coventry nine months ago and scored 13 goals in 29 appearances but rejected the chance to remain at the Ricoh Arena in favour of a move to St Andrew’s.

King agreed terms with the Sky Blues following his release from prison following his conviction for sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has already signed Cardiff winger Chris Burke as he builds a squad aimed at a quick return to the Barclays Premier League following relegation last season.

But his move for King has provoked a furious reaction from Coventry chairman Ken Dulieu who believed the player had verbally committed to a new contract.

Dulieu said: “We are fuming about this and feel we have been betrayed. We had reached agreement with Marlon and his advisor and verbally everything was settled and agreed, and now we find out that a deal has been done with Birmingham.

“The club and our supporters have fully backed Marlon on his return to the game and I think we deserve better than this.”