Sport

“Blues Bombshell: 25-year-old Transfer Twist”

Published

3 months ago

September 9, 2024

JOHN

Birmingham City were able to persuade Willum Willumsson to join them over four time Champions League winners Ajax, it has been revealed.

Interesting Birmingham City transfer revelation emerges about 25-year-old

According to The Athletic, Dutch giants Ajax showed an interest in signing Willumsson in the summer. The Icelandic international was reportedly holding out on a move to the Johan Cruyff Arena, but Blues were able to turn his head, and persuade him to swap the top flight of football in the Netherlands for the third tier of English football.

It took the 25-year-old just two days to decide on a move to St Andrew’s. Willumsson in an interview with the BBC in July, admitted he had doubts about the move, but was put at ease by Chris Davies and technical director Craig Gardner.

“When I first heard about the approach I was a bit in doubt,” Willumsson admitted.

“I spoke to Chris Davies and to Craig Gardner as well – and when I came here and saw the training ground, then there was no doubt in my mind. After that I was sold and I don’t regret my decision.

“I wanted to come to a club that is fighting for something and can achieve great things, with real competition to be in the starting XI.”

Willumsson joined Birmingham from Go Ahead Eagles, and had a respectable campaign, with seven goals and two assists in 31 matches. Ajax, who held an interest in him, finished 10 points ahead of them last term, and qualified for the league phase of the UEFA Europa League.

The fact Birmingham were able to persuade Willumsson from joining Ajax, in fact shows the pull that Birmingham have right now, despite their placing in the English football ladder. Ajax boast four Champions League trophies, and are regarded as the biggest club in the country. They have former Liverpool and Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson on their books as well as Chuba Akpom, but Willumsson instead opted to ply his trade with Birmingham.

Willumsson has so far had a solid start to life in the West Midlands, having played five times, with a goal and an assist against Wycombe Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. He’s currently away on international duty with his club teammate Alfons Sampsted. Iceland beat Montenegro 2-0 in their opening UEFA Nations League match with Willumsson coming on as a substitute with 13 minutes remaining. Right-back Sampsted played the entirety of the fixture at the Laugardalsvollur.