adminBirmingham City on the verge of finalizing signings of Japanese playmaker Kanya Fujimoto and striker Kyogo Furuhashi
Birmingham City Football Club is poised to complete the acquisition of two prominent Japanese players — midfielder Kanya Fujimoto and striker Kyogo Furuhashi — in what will be a significant double signing for the club.
Kanya Fujimoto set to join Birmingham City
The club has been pursuing the talented Gil Vicente midfielder Kanya Fujimoto for over a month, although progress was initially hampered by concerns regarding his fitness both in the short and long term. Despite these setbacks, the latest information from Neil Moxley of GiveMeSport indicates that an agreement has now been reached. Fujimoto is expected to join Birmingham City following the expiration of his contract with the Portuguese club Gil Vicente at the end of June.
Alongside Fujimoto, Birmingham City will also welcome Kyogo Furuhashi, another Japanese international. Furuhashi, who moved to Stade Rennais in France for a £10 million transfer fee earlier this year in January, has struggled to secure regular playing time in the French league. Consequently, he is now set to return to the United Kingdom, reuniting with Birmingham City.
This pair of transfers highlights the club’s ambition under the leadership of owner Tom Wagner and his ownership group. Birmingham City clearly have their sights set on achieving back-to-back promotions and making a strong push to return to the Premier League.
Background on Kanya Fujimoto and his career
Fujimoto, 25 years old, has spent the last five years developing his career in Portugal after progressing through the youth system at Tokyo Verdy in Japan. Since joining Gil Vicente, he has made over 100 appearances for the club, becoming a key figure in their squad. In the most recent season, he delivered an impressive performance with five goals and five assists in 30 appearances.
Although Birmingham City’s interest in Fujimoto has been reported since the summer, doubts about his fitness had slowed down the negotiation process. Those issues have now been resolved, paving the way for his imminent signing. According to GiveMeSport, the deal is expected to be finalized within the next 24 hours, alongside the signing of Kyogo Furuhashi, a former Celtic striker.
Birmingham City’s ambitions in the Championship
Birmingham City is determined to secure promotion back to the Premier League, a feat they have not accomplished in over a decade. The club’s recent transfer activity reflects their strong ambition and intent to compete at the highest level.
This summer, the club has already strengthened their squad by signing James Beadle, Tommy Doyle, Demarai Gray, and Bright Osayi-Samuel. The arrivals of Fujimoto and Furuhashi would mark the fifth and sixth new additions in the current transfer window, significantly bolstering the team’s depth and quality.
Kanya Fujimoto’s performance record at Gil Vicente
Over five seasons with Gil Vicente, Fujimoto has consistently contributed to the team with solid performances, as reflected in his appearances, goals, assists, and match ratings:
2020/21: 28 games, 1 goal, 1 assist, average rating 6.78
2021/22: 32 games, 3 goals, 2 assists, average rating 6.87
2022/23: 34 games, 0 goals, 3 assists, average rating 6.81
2023/24: 33 games, 3 goals, 6 assists, average rating 6.93
2024/25: 30 games, 5 goals, 5 assists, average rating 6.99
Outlook for Birmingham City
Following their recent relegation and subsequent promotion, backed by substantial financial investment from Knighthead Capital, Birmingham City have demonstrated their intent to avoid stagnation in the lower leagues. Their aggressive recruitment strategy this summer underlines their commitment to climbing back into the Premier League.
If Birmingham successfully complete the double signing of Kanya Fujimoto and Kyogo Furuhashi, it will send a powerful message of ambition and intent. Bringing in two high-quality players from abroad, both of whom have the potential to make a significant impact, could be pivotal for manager Chris Davies and his squad in the upcoming Championship season.
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