PLAYER PROFILE

Rafael Schmitz

Position: Defence

Height: 5'11

Weight: 11st 9lbs

Date of Birth: 1980-12-17 Blunemau, Brazil

Rafael Schmitz

Birmingham City agreed a season-long loan deal for Lille defender Rafael Schmitz in July 2007.

City boss Steve Bruce said of the signing: "Rafael's got good experience, he's been at Lille for a while."

"We saw Lille play in the league against Paris St Germain and Auxerre and Rafael impressed both times."

"He's left-sided and he's played in the Champions League so he knows what it's about. I'm sure he will do very, very well for us."

Centre-half Schmitz had been with Lille for six years, helping the club establish themselves as a major force in French football.