Alex McLeish has already begun to shape his squad for the fight to regain Birmingham City’s place in the Premier League.
Tunisian midfielder Mehdi Nafti signed a one-year extension to his contract, while defender Rafael Schmitz has returned to parent club Lille after his season-long loan spell.
McLeish said he was delighted to keep Nafti until 2009. "Mehdi has a good pedigree and is an international player," said McLeish. "He is not afraid to take the ball and that’s the type of player I’d like to have at Birmingham City.
"He’s a great character and brings a good spirit to the dressing room. He trains the way he plays, he gives everything in training and everything on a matchday. Mehdi is the type of player that I identify with and want to bring into the club.
"Rafa never complained about being out of the team, despite me starting him during the early part of my tenure here. I explained to him at the time that I was looking to get more presence into the team, although he was a very good jumper in the air. I wish him well and I applaud his 100 per cent professionalism."
Meanwhile, youngsters Jared Wilson and James McPike have both agreed new one-year contracts, but young professionals Asa Hall, David Howland, Adam Legzdins and Stefan Milojevic have all been released by Blues.
Midfielders Hall and Howland spent a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale respectively last season and have been offered permanent contracts by those clubs.
