Blues supremo Carson Yeung has performed a dramatic U-turn in his £60 million money laundering trial and has decided to give evidence.

The embattled former hairdresser initially declined to take to the stand two months ago.

But he appeared to have changed his mind after appointing a new solicitor in a move which may delay the outcome of the case.

The defence and prosecution cases both rested in July and counsel were due to make final submissions to a judge at Hong Kong District Court next month.

But a mention was made in court on Monday that Yeung, Blues’ largest shareholder, was looking to make an application to re-open his defence and give evidence.

Should Yeung’s request be accepted, the case – which began last November and is adjourned until October 15 – may be delayed still further.

And that may prolong the agony for Blues fans desperate for the club’s current owner, Yeung’s Birmingham International Holdings Ltd, to sell the Championship outfit.

Yeung’s U-turn came after he appointed Hong Kong firm Bough and Co to his legal team – adding to his legal bill now understood to have climbed to more than £1 million.

Yeung has also hired Australian barrister Kevin Egan, who has a considerable reputation in the former colony for defending cases involving corruption.

While Mr Egan is not considered as senior as Yeung’s lead barrister Graham Harris SC, the Australian is well known in Hong Kong legal circles for his successes in high-profile criminal cases.

Mr Egan was not present in court on Monday, leaving Mr Harris to present his colleague’s legal opinion on why Yeung should take the stand.

Yeung is accused of five counts of money laundering totalling 721 Hong Kong dollars – around £60 million.

The alleged incidents took place from January 2001 to December 2007.

He denies the charges.