Birmingham City will be keeping a close eye on former academy star Romelle Donovan's development at Sheffield United this season, as the 19-year-old winger looks to make his mark away from St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

Blues finished 10th in the Championship with 64 points from 46 games (17W-13D-16L), ending the season with a run of form reading DWWDW. They scored 57 goals and conceded 56, leaving them 31 points behind champions Coventry.

Why does Romelle Donovan matter to Birmingham City?

Donovan joined Birmingham at age six and rose through the academy ranks. He made 10 first-team appearances under Wayne Rooney during the 2023-24 season but saw limited action after the club's relegation to League One.

The England youth international left for Brentford in a £3m deal 13 months ago, but now finds himself at Sheffield United. His journey from Blues academy product to Championship player elsewhere is one that fans and staff are watching closely.

What happened to Donovan at Birmingham?

Donovan made his debut under Rooney in October 2023, coming on in a 2-0 loss to Hull City. Rooney praised his attitude, saying: "If you train well you'll get an opportunity."

But after Blues were relegated, Donovan played no further part. A loan spell at Burton Albion underwhelmed, and he was sold to Brentford. Current boss Chris Davies has faced criticism for not integrating more academy players into the first team.

What's next for Donovan and Birmingham?

With Blues now back in the Championship and sitting 10th, the club's academy remains a talking point. Donovan's progress at Sheffield United will be a barometer for how well the system prepares players for senior football.

For now, Birmingham fans can only watch and wonder what might have been. The 19-year-old has the talent — the question is whether he'll get the chance to show it regularly.