Birmingham City Confirm Midfielder's Departure to Dutch Side
Birmingham City have officially sanctioned the departure of Icelandic international Willum Willumsson, with the midfielder completing a move to NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands. The transfer was confirmed on the penultimate day of the January window, bringing an end to Willumsson's 18-month spell at St Andrew's.
Transfer Details and Squad Implications
The 27-year-old has joined NEC Nijmegen for an undisclosed fee, with Birmingham City opting to move him on after he struggled to secure a regular starting position under manager Chris Davies. Willumsson was notably absent from Blues' squad for their recent 2-0 victory over Oxford United, as the club finalised the transfer details.
This move represents another significant exit from Birmingham City's 2024 summer transfer window cohort. Originally signed from Go Ahead Eagles in a high-profile deal, Willumsson made 60 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals. However, his inability to cement a place in the Championship side has prompted this January departure.
Changing Squad Dynamics at St Andrew's
Willumsson's exit continues a notable trend at Birmingham City, with the midfielder becoming the latest in a series of players from that 2024 summer window to leave the club. Remarkably, Blues now retain just six players from the 17 signings made during that transfer period, indicating significant squad restructuring.
The Championship club are not expected to directly replace Willumsson in their squad. Instead, manager Chris Davies will rely on existing options to provide midfield cover. Japanese midfielder Kanya Fujimoto, who has made only two brief Championship appearances this season, is anticipated to offer support for attacking players Marvin Ducksch and Jay Stansfield.
Dutch Return for Icelandic International
Willumsson's move to NEC Nijmegen represents a return to Dutch football, where he previously played for Go Ahead Eagles before his Birmingham City transfer. NEC currently occupy fourth position in the Eredivisie, offering the midfielder an opportunity to reignite his career in a competitive European league.
This transfer concludes Willumsson's Birmingham City chapter after what proved to be a challenging period for the Icelandic international. Despite showing promise during his initial months at the club, the midfielder ultimately failed to establish himself as a regular starter following Birmingham's promotion to the Championship.
