 On 21 January 2008, Zárate joined Premier League side Birmingham City on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season, with a view to a permanent deal.He made his debut for the club in the 2–0 defeat at Sunderland on 29 January as a 66th-minute substitute for Cameron Jerome,
and made his first start on 12 March against Portsmouth.He scored his first goal for the club against Reading on 22 March, followed by a brace in their next match against Manchester City in a 3–1 win,
and a free-kick that earned a draw against Everton on 12 April.