Birmingham breaks its transfer record to sign Ecuador striker Christian Benitez

Birmingham signs Ecuador’s Benitez in record move

BIRMINGHAM, England — Birmingham has broken its transfer record to sign Ecuador striker Christian Benitez ahead of its return to the Premier League.

Birmingham announced on Wednesday that it had signed Benitez on a three-year contract from Mexico’s Santos Laguna to boost an attack that scored just 54 goals in 46 games as the club was promoted in second place from the League Championship.

The club did not confirm a transfer fee, but said it will be more than the $9 million it paid for midfielder David Dunn six years ago.

The 23-year-old Benitez is recovering from shoulder injury but should be fit for the start of the new season on Aug. 15.