Rating every signing Birmingham City have made so far this summer - including 9/10 striker coup
Birmingham City’s transfer business has been assessed ahead of the new season
Birmingham City fans are counting down the days until their Championship opener against fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town on Friday 8th August. It marks the club’s first Championship match at St. Andrew’s since a 1-0 victory over Norwich City more than 14 months ago in May 2024 - and it’s fair to say a lot of changes have been made to the team since that victory which was ultimately in vain on the final day two seasons ago.
Birmingham spent big to win promotion from League One in a record-breaking fashion and have once again flexed their financial muscle with a string of high-profile additions this summer. But how have the Blues fared in terms of recruitment and who is likely to be a success in the West Midlands? Transfers are always difficult to predict but using our crystal ball, we’ve rated each Blues signing out of 10 on how we think they’ll fare and whether they are value for money.
Birmingham City’s defensive reinforcements
James Beadle: loan from Brighton (8/10): England Under-21 international James Beadles arrives at St Andrew’s on the back of a successful campaign which saw him become a European champion with Lee Carsley’s young side. He’s already Championship proven after a solid spell with Sheffield Wednesday and looks set to start the season as No.1.
Eiran Cashin: loan from Brighton (7/10): Former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Eiran Cashin arrives to add depth in the central defensive role after joining from Brighton. He’s still only 23 and is Championship proven after playing 21 times for Derby County last year. Cashin should get game time but may not be an automatic first team starter.
Alfons Sampsted: signed from FC Twente (5/10): Alfons Sampsted joins on a permanent basis after playing 17 times in League One last season during a loan spell from FC Twente. The 27-year-old is unlikely to be first choice and is expected to be more of a squad player after struggling with injuries last term.
Phil Neumann: signed from Hannover.96 (8/10): Phil Neumann arrives on a free transfer from German second division side Hannover and is expected to go straight into the first team. He has bags of experience and at 28-years-of-age is arguably at his peak for a centre back.
Bright Osayi-Samuel: signed from Fenerbache: (8/10): Former QPR defender Bright Osayi-Samuel returns to the Championship with Birmingham City after a steady four year stint at Fenerbahce. He played regularly in the top division of Turkey last season, is Championship proven and versatile. He looks like a real coup.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman: signed from Bristol City (7/10): The 23-year-old arrives from Bristol City for just under £2m after a successful loan spell last season. He’s gained plenty of experience at this level and is familiar with the area, having also played for West Brom. A smart signing at a good age, although he could find game time tougher now Bright Oyasi-Samuel is at the club.
Birmingham City midfield and attacking signings
Tommy Doyle: signed on loan from Wolves (8.5/10): Former England Under-21 international Tommy Doyle arrives on a season-long loan deal from Wolves. The former Manchester City academy star was highly-rated during his time in the Etihad youth set-up and has previously tasted promotion from the Championship with Sheffield United. It seems a shrewd signing by Chris Davies.
Demari Gray: signed from Al-Ettifaq (7.5/10): Former Everton winger Demari Gray returns to his boyhood club after two seasons in Saudi Arabia. He’s a former Premier League winner with bags of experience and a point to prove but presents a risk as a high earner particularly after an underwhelming spell in the Middle East.
Kanya Fujimoto: signed from Gil Vicente (7.5/10): Former Japan Under-20 international Kanya Fujimoto joins from Portuguese side Gil Vicente on a free transfer. He had a record of 10 goal contributions last term and should add a bit of creative spark to Birmingham’s midfield.
Kyogo Furuhashi: signed from Rennes (9/10): Former Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has joined Birmingham in one of the biggest signings in the Championship this summer. He scored 85 times in 165 appearances for the Hoops, has Champions League experience and has the potential to be a real coup for the Blues. He could even be a contender for the Golden Boot next term if he can translate his form from the Scottish Premiership - an admittedly less competitive league than England’s Championship - to St. Andrew’s.