Birmingham City have confirmed Aitor Karanka as their new head coach.

The 46-year-old has succeeded his fellow Spaniard Pep Clotet, who left the Championship club with four games of the season remaining.

Former Real Madrid defender Karanka has been out of management since a year-long spell in charge of Nottingham Forest ended in January 2019.

Prior to his time at the City Ground, he led Middlesbrough to promotion to the Premier League in 2015-16.

"I'm delighted to be joining a club with the history and fanbase that Birmingham City has," Karanka told the club website.

"I share the excitement and determination of everyone here to start working together on all the challenges that lie ahead."