BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) - The 15-year-old brother of Birmingham's Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios has been released after being kidnapped in the central American country, the English club revealed on Thursday.

The 24-year-old international arrived at the Blues on loan in August, although there is a deal in place to make his switch from Honduran club Olimpia permanent.

His brother Edwin Palacios was snatched from the family home in La Ceiba, which is north of the capital Tegucigalpa, just over two weeks ago.

Wilson spoke of his delight at the news. "Now I am relieved and so happy. I can fully focus myself on football thanks to God," he told www.setantasports.com.

"My team-mates helped me a lot during that terrible period of my life and I want to thank them for that."

A statement on Birmingham's website, www.bcfc.com, said the club was "delighted that the Palacios family's terrible ordeal has successfully been resolved."

Palacios was signed on the recommendation of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after a trial with the Gunners and has made six appearances so far for Steve Bruce's team.