Birmingham City confirm MLS interest for U.S. defender Jonathan Spector

U.S. international Jonathan Spector could leave Birmingham City this month after managerGianfranco Zola confirmed interest from MLS.

Spector, 30, is Birmingham's longest-serving player, having been with the Blues since joining from West Ham in 2011.

He started his professional career with Manchester United in 2003 and has never played in MLS, but Zola said a move may be on the cards.

"The right-back position was not our concern or focus to change because I am very happy with the ones I have got," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"But there might be a request for Jonathan Spector to go back home, and that case is something I have to consider.

"He has been a very loyal player for this club. In six months his contract is going to be up, and if we can help him with something we will try to do that -- he deserves that.

"I cannot say about the team but there might be the possibility that Jonathan will be going back home and that's the reason why we are active in that position, possibly in this transfer window."

Spector is a Chicago native, and the Fire have already been very active this offseason, adding striker Nemanja Nikolic from Legia Warsaw and midfielder Juninho on loan from Tijuana, before acquiring New York Red Bulls captain Dax McCarty on Monday.