Exclusive: Bristol Rovers Set to Make Birmingham’s Alfie Chang Loan Permanent

Bristol Rovers are set to make Alfie Chang’s loan at the club permanent, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Birmingham City youngster moved to the Gas on a season-long loan deal on deadline day.

Chang’s loan includes an option to buy and our sources have been told Rovers' bosses are ready to pull the trigger less than three months into his stay at the club.

The 22-year-old has quickly become a fan favourite at the MEM due to his quality on the ball.

He has impressed manager Darrell Clarke during his first 11 games since making the move.

Chang was entering the final year of his contract at St Andrew’s and was surplus to requirements at the Championship club.

And Rovers wasted little time in securing their man, who they see as playing a pivotal part in their quest to get back up the Football League.

Chang was one of 14 summer signings at the club and was impressed by Clarke's ambition when he spoke with the manager.

After signing for the Gas, he said: “I think the plan was for me to leave Birmingham and go and get some game time and I'm really happy that I've come to Bristol [Rovers]. The fans are great, the ambition of the club is amazing. It’s a great place for me to come and play football.”

Birmingham are also considering turning some of their current loan deals into permanent moves, with recent reports linking Patrick Roberts and Tommy Doyle to potential permanent signings.

Tough Time

Chang came through the ranks at Birmingham and broke into the first team under John Eustace. 

But he suffered a serious knee injury in August 2023 which curtailed his rise.

He returned after an painstaking 522 days on the sidelines in January in an FA Cup game against Lincoln City, winning a penalty.

That will likely be his last outing in a Blues’ shirt. He went on loan to Walsall later that month and scored in their play-off semi-final with Chesterfield as the Saddlers ultimately missed out on promotion.