Argentinean striker Mauro Zarate has left Birmingham City following their relegation to The Championship on Sunday.

21-year-old Zarate joined Birmingham City in January 2008, on loan from Al-Sadd of Qatar until the end of the 2007–08 season, with a view to signing a permanent deal, but with Birmingham's relegation, he has now returned to Al-Sadd.

However, Zarate may return to The Premiership next season, with the striker having caught the eye of several other Premier League clubs.

Zarate made 14 appearances for City, scoring four goals and becoming a fans favourite at St Andrews in the short time he was there.

City boss Alex McLeish is full of praise for the Argentina Under-20 international, saying: "Mauro's going to be an attractive proposition to Premier League clubs. In fact I know he is."

"I would like to thank him for his spell here and he made an impact, which was never going to be easy.

"It was a little bit of a risk bringing him in from a league where you can get away with things, be lazy and still look like a world-class star, coming into the hurly-burly of the Premier League.

"So I applaud his spirit, his heart and he will be a good asset to one of the big clubs, if not here then abroad.

"I said, at times, if he went into a team a little bit technically more proficient than us - and I meant that with no disrespect to our boys - he would be even better.

"He's a real talent and it's just a shame that our situation counted against us.

"I know he's enjoyed being here and living in Birmingham. Now we have to move on."