DEMARAI Gray says he wants to give Birmingham City ‘his best years’ after returning to St Andrew’s.
Gray, 29, began his career at Blues as a youth team player and graduated to the first team before joining Leicester City in 2016 and winning the Premier League title under Claudio Ranieri.
But now Gray is back after two seasons with Saudi Arabia side Al-Ettifaq, and sealed a three-year contract.
Gray played in the Champions League with Leicester before spells with Bayer Leverkusen and Everton.
But now Gray is ready to boost Blues’ Championship campaign.
He saids: “To join now feels right. To be back here now means a lot and having tasted success a bit throughout my career, I’m hungry and I really want to do it here with Birmingham and try and help the team get back to where we belong.
“It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time. Seeing some old faces is always nice, to be back around the stadium brought back a lot of feelings and I can’t wait to get going now, get back in front of the fans and see where this season can take us.
“I’ve come back when I can contribute and give Birmingham my best years.” ⚡️@19Demarai pic.twitter.com/TUTiwR1cqz
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 3, 2025
“I was at the club up to 19 years of age and spent the majority of my career associated with Birmingham, so coming back to Blues means something and it’s different to just signing for another club.
“For me to have the opportunity to come back home, be around my family, watch my son grow up, him being able to watch me play games at the club I started at, makes sense.
“Especially at the point of my career now, it’s perfect. I’m happy, I’m excited, and I want to win things and be successful here in front of my family.
“I feel good physically, I feel fit, and I know my capabilities. That’s one thing I’m really happy about, that I’ve come back when I can contribute and give my best and actually give Birmingham my best years.”
