Birmingham City managed to sign Ecuador striker Christian Benitez for a cut-price £1 million, it has been revealed.

The People says they had originally agreed to pay Mexican club Santos Laguna £8.5m for the 23-year-old. But a knee problem showed up during his medical and McLeish was able to negotiate a deal to take him on a year's loan at a reduced sum.

If at the end of the season all parties are happy, there's an option to complete a permanent deal for an £7.5m.