Signing players from clubs relegated from the Championship often presents a valuable opportunity for ambitious teams with available budgets. Recent examples prove this true: Birmingham City lost Jordan James to Rennes two years ago after his impressive loan spell at Leicester City, and although Leicester has since suffered relegation, James remains a notable talent. Similarly, Coventry City’s acquisition of Jack Rudoni from Huddersfield has been highly successful, contributing significantly to their promotion campaign. Derby County’s signing of Carlton Morris from Luton Town also paid dividends, with the striker netting 12 goals in 31 Championship appearances.
This summer, Birmingham City, with financial flexibility, could capitalize on the misfortunes of relegated clubs Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford United, and Leicester City by cherry-picking players with quality and potential. Here are nine players worth keeping an eye on:
From Sheffield Wednesday, 20-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles stands out. Having broken into the first team towards the end of the 2024/25 season, Charles impresses with his distribution and has rapidly climbed the ranks in Northern Ireland’s national setup. With just one year remaining on his contract and strong interest from various suitors, Charles could be an excellent signing.
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Defender Gabriel Otegbayo, 21, has impressed during a challenging season for the Owls. The centre-back played 35 Championship games, demonstrating both athleticism and composure on the ball. Birmingham could benefit from adding a young, promising defender to their squad depth.
Svante Ingelsson, a Swedish outfielder, earned Sheffield Wednesday’s end-of-season accolades. Known for his physicality and consistency in the Championship, Ingelsson attracted January interest from clubs like Portsmouth, Millwall, and Stoke. His availability makes him a tempting target.
Oxford United’s Belgian midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker has also been linked with moves following his impactful first season in English football. A box-to-box midfielder, he contributed one goal and five assists before a shoulder injury curtailed his campaign. Additionally, Myles Peart-Harris is a free agent following his spell at Oxford. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder, capable of playing wide, made five goal contributions in 19 league games and previously appeared in the Premier League with Brentford.
Leicester City, despite their relegation woes, possess players of undeniable talent. Forward Abdul Fatawu scored nine goals and provided seven assists last season, including a brace against Birmingham City. Though linked with a move to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, his price may be beyond Championship clubs’ reach. Moreover, Birmingham are well stocked in Fatawu’s preferred right-wing position.
Leicester also have defensive options such as centre-backs Harry Souttar and Ben Nelson. Souttar, a £15 million signing, has been hampered by injuries over the last 16 months, including a ruptured Achilles and knee issues. Nelson, 22, gained Championship experience on loan at Oxford and is considered a promising squad player.
Finally, midfielder Hamza Choudhury is a familiar name to Birmingham City’s manager Chris Davies, having played under him during Davies’s time as Leicester’s assistant manager. Choudhury’s Championship experience and midfield versatility could strengthen Birmingham’s options moving forward.
In summary, with a careful approach, Birmingham City could capitalize on relegation by recruiting talented individuals from Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford United, and Leicester City to bolster their squad for the 2025/26 season.