Like many Championship clubs, Birmingham City have experienced mixed fortunes with loan signings in recent seasons. While certain players have thrived, others have struggled to make a lasting impact.
Jay Stansfield serves as a prime example of a successful loan, with Blues owner Tom Wagner prepared to invest over £12 million for a permanent transfer, even following the club’s relegation to League One. Ibrahim Osman was another positive loan arrival, though Birmingham ultimately decided against breaking their transfer record to sign him permanently from Brighton. Jhon Solis, however, was secured on a £6 million permanent deal, a move increasingly regarded as astute.
In contrast, some loan deals last season failed to deliver the expected results. One such case was Lewis Koumas, a forward who joined Birmingham on loan from Liverpool shortly before his 20th birthday. Despite a prior season of Championship experience at Stoke City, Koumas struggled to find his form and made a limited impact during his time at St Andrew’s.
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His most notable contribution came late in the campaign when an injury crisis led to a run of starts, highlighted by a goal in a memorable 3-2 victory against Coventry City. Nevertheless, Ibrahim Osman’s arrival in January curtailed Koumas’s opportunities, leading to his return to Liverpool and subsequent loan to Hull City, where he played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League.
Many anticipated Koumas would return to the Championship for another loan spell, but Liverpool’s new manager, Andoni Iraola, recognised something different. Impressed by Koumas during pre-season, Iraola instructed club officials to reject loan offers, signalling his intent to retain the young forward within the first-team squad.
Since then, Koumas has made two substitute appearances in the Premier League, as well as a cameo in the Champions League. He also started in Liverpool’s recent Carabao Cup win against Tottenham Hotspur, earning the Man of the Match honour through a tireless performance that created numerous opportunities for teammates.
Speaking after the match, Iraola praised Koumas’s energy, describing it as “contagious” and a driving force for the team’s intensity. The player himself was overwhelmed when Cody Gakpo presented him with the award and promptly shared the moment with his family via FaceTime.
The Wales international’s rapid progression at Liverpool has surprised many who followed his stint at Birmingham. Reflecting on his swift rise, Koumas said, “I would have thought I was dreaming. I’m just really happy and very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. You never know when your last time on the pitch for Liverpool is going to be. I just try to leave everything out there every time.”