Rotherham United

Rotherham United have completed the signing of Andrew Shinnie on loan from Birmingham City, subject to FA and Football League ratification.

The Scottish international has agreed a deal with the Millers until the end of the 2015/16 season.

The 26-year-old further strengthens the hand of Millers manager Neil Redfearn, who last week added Chris Burke and Luciano Becchio to his squad.

Shinnie, an attack minded midfielder, has made 17 appearances in all competitions this season for Gary Rowett’s Birmingham, after joining Blues from Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2013.

“Andrew is another terrific attacking option,” Redfearn told www.themillers.co.uk

“He is someone who can play just off the front or just in behind the front. He is a real creative talent and he will give us more strings to our bow.

“He understands his position, he has played at this level for a while now and he has done well for Birmingham. 

“I think that he is a player that, on his day, can unlock the best defences in this division. He will be a really good acquisition for us.”

Shinnie started his career in his native Scotland with Rangers, impressing whilst on loan with Dundee.

After joining Inverness he enjoyed a productive two years which attracted the attention of clubs from England.

He signed a three-year contract with Birmingham in 2013 where he would become a team mate of fellow Millers new signing Chris Burke.

Burke and Shinnie’s arrival at AESSEAL New York Stadium has given Redfearn’s engine room a much needed boost, and the Millers boss is now delighted with the current competition for places. 

“With players like Andrew coming in it provides more competition, and that strengthens our bench as well, because players are in a fight now to get into the side,” added Redfearn.

“Andrew can play in one or two positions, he has a real eye for goal and he is certainly a player that will give us a different dimension going forward.

“We are adding more quality to the squad which is what we need to do.”

Shinnie will wear the number 24 jersey whilst with the Millers.