Alex McLeish has confirmed that loan defender Rafael Schmitz has returned to parent club Lille and will not be at Blues next season.

The Brazil-born defender was signed on a temporary deal from the French club by former manager Steve Bruce last summer but played only 16 games during his time at St. Andrew's.

The 27-year-old has not featured in the first team since the defeat at Sunderland in late January.

But Alex McLeish wanted to put on record his thanks to a player that he described as a "consummate professional".

Speaking exclusively to www.bcfc.com, the Blues boss continued: "Rafa never complained about being out of the team, despite me starting him during the early part of my tenure here.

"I explained to him at the time that I was looking to get more presence into the team, although he was a very good jumper in the air.

"I wish him well and I applaud his 100 per cent professionalism."