COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Coventry City have announced former striker Gary McSheffrey is set to rejoin the club on 1st July.

McSheffrey's contract with Birmingham City is due to expire and he has agreed a one-year deal at the Ricoh Arena with the option of a further year.

The Coventry-born forward scored 53 times for the Sky Blues after making his debut at 16 against Aston Villa.

McSheffrey, 27, moved across to St Andrew's in 2006 helping Blues reach the Premier League in his first season.

But a persistent knee injury meant McSheffrey struggled to feature for the Blues first team of late and he was recently sent out on loan to Leeds United.

"I know about Gary's affiliation with Coventry City and while that's a very positive thing, we are bringing him in because of his qualities as a player and a character, not just because he is a local lad," Coventry manager Aidy Boothroyd said.

"We feel he will be a very good addition to the squad and all Coventry City supporters will know that Gary McSheffrey in his pomp is an outstanding player in the Championship.

"His last couple of seasons have not seen him hit the peaks that he did here at Coventry or in the year he was instrumental in winning Birmingham promotion.

"But we have brought him back with the aim of getting him and us back up to that level.