Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan today applauded David Dunn's loyalty following Middlesbrough's late attempt to hijack the midfielder's move to St Andrews.
Dunn is on the verge of completing a near-£6 million sterling switch from Blackburn to the Blues, ending a transfer saga in which the move at one stage appeared to be off.
Birmingham's persistence has paid off, with City smashing their club record to land the 23-year-old, who has agreed an initial four-year contract.
When asked about Middlesbrough's move, Sullivan added: "Middlesbrough were definitely interested. They were sat on the sidelines thinking it was an auction and they would just beat our price.
"But the player decided he wanted to come to Birmingham and stayed loyal to us which is very nice to see in this day and age".
Despite the lengthy negotiations, Rovers chief executive John Williams always felt Dunn would quit Ewood Park. "It was probably inevitable that David Dunn would move on after he refused the offer of a new contract," stated Williams on Rovers' club website.
"We all wanted him to stay, but these things happen. He was a local lad who had come through the system and he did well for the club. But football is a fluid business and we all have to move forward".