Birmingham City have completed the signing of Colombian midfielder Jhon Solis from Spanish La Liga side Girona, as manager Chris Davies moves to address a key area of his squad.
A Physical Presence for the Championship Battle
The 21-year-old, who stands at 6ft 1in, arrives as a powerful, combative option markedly different from the technical styles of existing midfielders Tommy Doyle and Paik Seung-ho. Davies identified a need for greater physicality after seeing his team occasionally overpowered, particularly in away fixtures.
"I've wanted to improve the physicality of the team," Davies told BirminghamLive. "We've seen how physical the Championship is... so hopefully he can add to our squad in that way." Data highlights Solis's proficiency at carrying the ball through midfield, offering Blues a dynamic, box-to-box runner they lacked during summer recruitment.
A Profile Built for English Football
Despite being considered a raw talent after two-and-a-half years at Girona, there is a belief that Solis's attributes are ideally suited to the fast-paced English game. His former manager at Atletico Nacional, Paulo Autuori, strongly endorses this view.
"His body type is well suited to European football. His ability to play box-to-box also," Autuori said. "He is a clever guy and strong in the mental aspect." Autuori typically deployed Solis on the right of a midfield three, utilising his energy to cover the full pitch.
The signing also provides Davies with increased tactical flexibility, potentially allowing a move away from his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Settling In and Immediate Impact
Solis will join a dressing room where Spanish is not a primary language, though Davies and Spanish-speaker Paik Seung-ho will help his integration. "I am known to speak a little bit of Spanish," Davies joked, "but I think I've used all my Spanish words when I spoke to him!"
With Birmingham short of options, the Colombian could be involved immediately. When asked if Solis might feature against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night, Davies said: "I'm hopeful... I think he's 50/50 for the game," pending registration and training clearance.
The acquisition of Jhon Solis represents a deliberate strategic move by Chris Davies to inject power and drive into Birmingham City's midfield as they continue their Championship campaign.
