Willumsson's Arrival at Birmingham City
When Birmingham City signed Willum Willumsson in the summer of 2024, excitement was high. The Iceland international was one of 17 players brought in by Blues that summer, lured by the promise of a return to the Championship and a push for the Premier League. Blues used their spending power under Knighthead to secure a player who had impressed in the Eredivisie for Go Ahead Eagles and had been courted by Ajax. Although the club denied the reported £3.7 million fee, suggesting it was lower, Willumsson was seen as a different type of number 10 due to his imposing frame and technical ability.
Mixed Performance in League One
Willumsson finished League One with six goals and six assists. These numbers were underwhelming given his explosive start, which faded after a mid-season injury. Manager Chris Davies showed faith in him, believing his quality would shine in the Championship. However, Willumsson admitted to being surprised by the physical demands of English football and suffered an injury in September, missing three months. By the time he returned, Blues were struggling, and he couldn't help them recover. His final start was a 3-0 defeat at Watford on New Year's Day, where he was substituted at half-time.
Move to NEC Nijmegen
At the end of the January transfer window, Willumsson returned to the Netherlands with NEC Nijmegen for a fraction of the fee Blues paid. The logic behind the deal was clear given his previous Eredivisie success, but things didn't go as planned. The 27-year-old made only four Eredivisie appearances for NEC and spent the final nine games on the bench.
Analysis by Sander Janssen
According to Sander Janssen, speaking to BirminghamLive, Willumsson was brought in as a replacement for a loaned-out player, making it a difficult situation. The manager found a consistent starting eleven that performed well, leaving no reason for change. Despite Willumsson's length and strength, the manager didn't choose him. He remained on the bench for weeks until a brief substitute appearance in the cup final, where he couldn't make a difference. AZ Alkmaar beat NEC 5-1 in the KNVB Cup final, but NEC secured third place in the league, guaranteeing European football.
Future Prospects
NEC will enter the Champions League qualifying rounds, offering Willumsson a chance to play on club football's grandest stage. However, Janssen doubts his role, stating the club wants to strengthen the squad with higher-level players. In Willumsson's positions, they have captain Tjaronn Chery, top scorer Bryan Linssen, and talent Noé Lebreton. With more games this season, the manager may need to rotate, but Willumsson's future remains uncertain.
