Ebbsfleet United have added further strength to the back line today as 19-year-old Birmingham City centre-back Tommy Fogarty signs on loan until the end of the season.

Fogarty, who has captained the Republic of Ireland at youth level, signed a professional contract with the Blues in summer 2022 after completing his scholarship with the club’s academy. His impressive form at the heart of Birmingham’s Premier League 2 defence earned him an extension to his stay at St Andrew’s until 2026 and he embarked on the first-team’s pre-season tour of Spain.

Fogarty started out in the club’s U18 side before a jump to the U23s where he has continued to shine and he comes highly recommended by former Fleet boss and current Birmingham academy manager Liam Daish, himself a former international centre-back.

The defender has represented both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at youth level, starting out south of the border up to U18 level before switching to Northern Ireland in 2022. He made his U21s debut last year.

The new signing will wear the number 28 shirt.