Blues have accepted a bid from fellow promotion hopefuls Barnsley for left wing-back Emmanuel Longelo.
The 23-year-old, a peripheral figure during Birmingham’s recent relegation campaign from the Championship, looks set for pastures new.
Longelo’s arrival from West Ham United at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park came with great expectation, and he enjoyed an excellent first few months on loan to earn a permanent transfer. Things went downhill from that point on, however, as he was phased in and out of the team by John Eustace.
The former Hammer then rarely got any minutes at all under the likes of Wayne Rooney, Tony Mowbray and Gary Rowett – even missing out on the matchday squad altogether in a few instances. The decision has been made to let Longelo leave to revive his career.
Barnsley came knocking with a bid this week and it was accepted by Birmingham. Barring any late changes, Longelo is expected to travel to South Yorkshire to undergo his medical and complete the various formalities.
Best used as a left wing-back in a five-back but also capable of playing as a left winger or left-back in a flat four, Longelo has made 40 appearances for Birmingham. Before that, the powerful runner played 107 times for West Ham United at youth level and twice for the senior team.
It’s a shame things never worked out for Longelo in B9, but he departs with the best wishes from Birmingham. As long as he doesn’t perform well in the games against Blues, of course.