Roger Johnson is the latest new recruit to join Blues for a fee of £5 million from Cardiff City.

The central defender, regarded as one of the brightest defensive properties outside the Premier League, has put pen-to-paper on a three year deal.

The arrival of Johnson breaks the club transfer record paid for a defender.

Johnson, 26, has been a revelation since his arrival at Ninian Park in 2006 from Wycombe Wanderers. Last season he was named in the Coca-Cola Championship team of the year following a sustained spell of impressive displays for the Bluebirds.

A defender that frequently causes opposition defences problems from set-pieces, Johnson is the third centre-half to join Alex McLeish's ranks this summer following Scott Dann and Giovanny Espinoza into St. Andrew's. 

Johnson began his career at Wycombe Wanderers and was captain of the side before sealing a move to Cardiff for £275,000 after making 183 appearances for the Chairboys. Standing at an imposing 6ft 3, Johnson was a virtual ever present for Cardiff last term, scoring five goals for Dave Jones' side.

Speaking exclusively to bcfc.com, Johnson spoke of his delight at signing for Blues.

"I am really pleased to be here. Birmingham are a massive club and I am looking forward to putting the shirt on to be honest," he said.

"Premier League football is the dream at the start of any footballer's career so I am pleased I have been given that chance with Birmingham and I can't wait to get started.

"The aim is to stay in the Premier League with Birmingham and hopefully I will have a big part to play in that. I want to do well for the club. At both clubs I have been at I have got on well with the fans and hopefully that will continue here."