Birmingham City are readying a move for Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill, according to Football Insider.
The defender is currently appearing in Hungary for Puskas Akademia, but he has just six months left of his contract and has been identified as a possible recruit for Wayne Rooney’s Blues. They’re not the only ones eyeing a move for the former Arsenal man – Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC, both of Major League Soccer, are also thought to be in the hunt.
It would mark a remarkable return to England for the left-back, who hasn’t played on home shores since leaving Swindon Town in 2017. His time there was clouded by controversy after he was pictured inhaling nitrous oxide gas on social media.
The future looked bright for the young defender after he came through the ranks at Arsenal. He captained the Under-18 and made 32 appearances for their Under-21s, even representing England up to Under-19 level. He left in 2015 for the County Ground, playing 56 times in two seasons, either side of his suspension.
After leaving the Robins, he had a trial with Lincoln City under Danny Cowley, appearing in a number of pre-season friendlies following their promotion to the Football League. He was not picked up, meaning he went abroad, hunting for a career.
He found one, playing in the Dutch second division with Helmond Sport, Dordrecht, and Excelsior, before moving to Hungary in September 2022. His form there has now alerted scouts, and at 27 years old, it seems the player might finally be heading back to the country where it all began for him.
Ormonde-Ottewill plays predominately at left-back and has turned out 13 times for them this season. They’re currently fifth in the table, just three points behind second-placed Ferencvaros.
Writer’s View
For a Lincoln fan, Ormonde-Ottewill felt like a blast from the distant past, but at 27, he’s only just approaching his prime. He’s clearly impressed in Hungary, and whilst some can question the standard, few can question Ferencvaros through to the last 16 in the Conference League. That is the standard the player is used to, so a Championship move doesn’t seem beyond him.
Moving for a player who has been off the radar for a while could be a masterstroke. Ormonde-Ottewill clearly has a good pedigree, coming through at Arsenal, and it’s possible some clubs were put off after the 2016 incident. That’s long gone now, and the stigma should also be gone with it.
This could be an inspired move, an Elgnish left back, in his prime, playing regular football in one of Europe’s top-flight divisions. there won’t be many of those flying about on a free transfer in the summer, and Birmingham should move quickly to ensure they’re still at the head of the queue come May.
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