‘A Bit In Doubt’ – €4 Million Man Reflects on Go Ahead Eagles Switch

Go Ahead Eagles have sold winger Willum Willumsson to English side Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.

The English big-spenders are keen to get out of the third tier at the first time of asking, and although the fee is undisclosed, the player is thought to have cost €4 million on Transfermarkt, giving an indication of the fee Go Ahead has received.

The 25-year-old joined Go Ahead from BATE Borisov two years ago, and he was a key figure in their surge to a European last season. They finished ninth but defeated NEC and Utrecht in the Conference League play-off phase to secure promotion.

Willumsson scored seven goals and added two assists from midfield across the campaign, although he missed all of the play-off campaign. He will also miss their European adventure, but admitted despite being dubious about dropping into the English third tier, the club sold the project to him,.

“When I first heard about the approach I was a bit in doubt,” Willumsson said. “But they then presented me the project.

“I spoke to Chris Davies and to Craig Gardner as well – and when I came here and saw the training ground, then there was no doubt in my mind. After that I was sold and I don’t regret my decision.”

The move has caused some surprise. Michael Statham, a Ditch football expert, told BirminghamLive: “He is playing for Go Ahead Eagles, who are a side that qualified for European competition last season in the Eredivisie, finishing ninth and winning the play-offs to qualify, so they are an upper mid-table side. I am really surprised that he will be dropping down to League One in England.

“He is coming to the prime of his career and clubs such as Southampton and teams in Italy were looking at him. I’m surprised he is making this move but maybe he sees it as more of a long-term gain.”

Willumsson began his career in his homeland with Breiðablik, scoring seven goals across 43 outings. That earned him a €250,000 move to Belarus, and to BATE Borisov, where he first appeared in Europe. he also earned a call up to his country following his switch, the first of nine.

He joined Go Ahead in 2022, bagging 15 goals in 62 appearances.

Site Opinion

This is a big risk. He could have been playing in Europe next season, but instead, he’s going to be playing away at Crawley.

If Birmingham romps the division, and if they look steady enough to sustain a push in the Championship next season, then all will be well. If they fail to go up, it could be career suicide.

Sunderland, Ipswich and Derby County all failed to go up at the first attempt. Birmingham may well pass through quickly, as the likes of Blackburn have in the recent past, but there’s no guarantee.

Let’s hope he hasn’t been sold a bag of magic beans. As for Go Ahead, €4 million might not sound like a lot of money, and for one English third-division team, it isn’t, but even for a Dutch club in Europe, it could be a handy war chest.