Steve Bruce has coughed up £100,000 to Birmingham City to gain his release and take charge of Wigan Athletic.

The Sun says Birmingham had originally told Bruce he would not be released unless he handed back £225,000 paid to him in advance for image rights.

Birmingham are set to receive £3million in compensation while Bruce's four-year deal is worth £8m.

He was due to sign his contract in front of the TV cameras on Wednesday but his seat - and that of chairman Dave Whelan - remained empty because of the last-minute hitch.

He is now likely to be unveiled on Monday and will take his first training session later that day.