on 17 july 2009, ferguson completed a move to english premier league newcomers birmingham city on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported as "in the region of £1.2m". joining up with boss alex mcleish once again, the former rangers manager said that ferguson has "unfinished business in england" and that he believed the former scottish international to be "very capable of competing with the best players in the premier league." he made his debut in the opening game of the season, against manchester united on 15 august 2009, and his first goal for the club came as the only goal of the fa cup third round replay against nottingham forest in january 2010. ferguson won the birmingham city players' player of the year award for 2009–10.