Ryan Allsop arrived at Blues from Hull City in June 2024 for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.

A boyhood Brummie, Ryan Allsop grew up in the Great Barr area of the city and rose through the ranks at near neighbours West Bromwich Albion. After progressing through the Baggies youth system, the imposing stopper earned five caps for England Under-17s and was named on the substitutes’ bench for West Brom’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Wigan Athletic in May 2009.

As a developing ‘keeper he made quite the impression on his debut, saving a penalty in a 5-4 League Cup shootout victory over Charlton Athletic.

Seven clean sheets in 24 appearances for The O’s attracted interest from AFC Bournemouth, and the six-foot-two-inch stopper made the move to the Dorset coast in January 2013. He formed an important part of the Cherries promotion winning side and began the following campaign as a first-choice goalkeeper in the second tier.

In July 2014, Allsop joined Coventry City on loan until January. He recorded nine clean sheets in 27 appearances, and most notably helped the Sky Blues reach the EFL Trophy quarter final. Upon returning to Bournemouth, he found first team football hard to come by and despite making his Premier League debut in November 2015, Allsop was soon on the move.

Temporary spells with Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth, on a seven-day emergency loan, dirtied the gloves and sharpened the skillset. Allsop made his first Premier League start in a 1-1 draw against Leicester City before agreeing a loan move to Blackpool which was cut short after half a season.

On the final day of the January transfer window, he joined Lincoln City, making a string of impressive saves on his first outing, including a penalty stop in a 5-3 shootout win over Chelsea Under-23s.

He kept a clean sheet in the final of the same competition as the Imps upset the odds to beat Shrewsbury Town by a single goal and lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium.

After leaving Bournemouth, Allsop rejoined Wycombe on a three-year deal in June 2018. During his time at Adams Park, he made 111 appearances and formed part of their historic promotion winning side of 2019/20.

He left at the end of the following campaign and, after a successful trial period, joined Derby County under the management of Liam Rosenior, a manager he would reunite with further down the line. By this time his reputation for being a ball-playing ‘keeper was firmly established, and after a solitary season with the Rams, he took the opportunity to showcase those talents in the Welsh Capital.

Supremely confident with the ball at his feet, Allsop started all but three of Cardiff’s Championship fixtures (43) and saved two of the four penalties he faced.

In August 2023, the well-travelled glovesman found a home on Humberside, as Rosenior, now Head Coach at Hull City, moved swiftly to secure his services. Here, the Blues new boy averaged more touches and more passes than any other goalkeeper in the division and was part of a Tiger’s side who narrowly missed out on the play-off spots.

Allsop fulfilled a boyhood dream signing a three-year deal with Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee on Tuesday 18 June 2024.