Emmanuel Longelo became the second Chadwell Heath Academy graduate to leave West Ham United on transfer window deadline day.
The 22-year-old full back converted his loan with Championship club Birmingham City to a permanent deal on Tuesday, with the Midlands club announcing the deal shortly after the 11pm deadline for transfers had passed.Longelo, who was at West Ham for 12 years, having first pulled on a claret and blue shirt at the age of 10 has made 18 appearances for Birmingham since joining the club on a season-long loan last summer.
He made two first team appearances under David Moyes, in the Carabao Cup against Hull City before featuring in a UEFA Europa League tie against Dinamo Zagreb.
Longelo, who has signed a a three-and-a-half-year contract with his new club is understood to have joined the Blues for a fee in the region of £400,000.
His departure was confirmed a matter of hours after fellow former Academy defender Harrison Ashby's £3million switch to Newcastle United was announced.
Manny is here to stay! 👏@mannylongelo has joined the Club on a permanent basis from West Ham United.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) January 31, 2023
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