Birmingham City are on the verge of completing the signing of Japanese free agent Kanya Fujimoto, according to a report.
The midfielder has been playing in Portugal for top-flight side Gil Vicente, who finished in 13th place last season, far behind the race for European football. He appeared in 33 matches this season, scoring five goals and as many assists from the centre of the pitch.
Blues Nearing Agreement
According to reports from Portuguese journalist Sebastião Sousa-Pinto and later covered by Sport Witness, the deal for Birmingham to sign the 25-year-old is ’90-95% done’, after weeks of negotiations. Fujimoto has been out of contract at Gil Vicente, and initial expectations were that he would renew his deal but The Blues moved in and made a pre-contract offer to the player instead.
Having arrived from his homeland to Portugal in 2020 on loan, Gil Vicente bought him on a permanent transfer two years later and he has recorded a total of 181 appearances for the club. He has been a youth international for his nation, playing for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, featuring in the World Cup for the latter.
Blues have been very active in the early season transfer market, with reports linking them to winger Demarai Gray as well as two centre-backs in former loanee Ben Davies and out-of-contract Swansea City man Harry Darling.
Writers’ View
It is an interesting deal for Birmingham City to make. Fujimoto has not been particularly outstanding for Gil Vicente in all of his seasons there, but has been a dependable figure for the Portuguese side. His experience in a top European league like the Primeira Liga cannot be undervalued though, and could be of benefit to Birmingham as they aim high in the Championship next season. Having Tomoki Iwata as a potential midfield partner will help him adapt to England quicker, and with his ability as an attacking-minded midfielder, he can provide good cover for Willum Willumsson with Kieran Dowell’s departure at the end of this season. Whilst not a standout name, it could be an underrated transfer, especially considering it is on a free.
