Done Deal: Super Eagles Star Bright Osayi-Samuel Joins Birmingham City on Free Transfer in Major Squad Boost

Birmingham City have completed the signing of Nigeria international Bright Osayi-Samuel on a free transfer, marking one of their most high-profile acquisitions of the summer window. The 27-year-old full-back joins the Premier League newcomers after parting ways with Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, where he had spent three and a half seasons.

The deal, announced by the club on Thursday, July 4, 2025, sees Osayi-Samuel sign a three-year contract that will keep him at St. Andrew’s until June 2028. His arrival bolsters a Birmingham defense looking to adapt quickly to the demands of top-flight football following their promotion from the Championship earlier this year.

Osayi-Samuel is no stranger to English football, having played over 100 games for Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers between 2015 and 2020. He moved to Fenerbahçe in January 2021, where he developed a reputation as a fearless wing-back with attacking flair and strong defensive instincts. He made over 90 appearances for the Turkish side across all competitions.

At the international level, the London-born defender has been capped 22 times by Nigeria and was part of the Super Eagles squad that reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. His blend of pace, power, and positional awareness is seen as a perfect fit for Birmingham’s high-tempo playing style under manager Tony Mowbray.

Club insiders revealed that Osayi-Samuel had been on Birmingham’s radar since late last season, and talks intensified after he rejected a contract extension at Fenerbahçe. The player was also linked with moves to Crystal Palace and West Ham, but chose Birmingham for guaranteed playing time and the club’s ambitious long-term project.

He becomes Birmingham’s fifth signing of the summer, joining the likes of Kieffer Moore, Lewis Hall, and Tayo Adaramola as the Blues gear up for their Premier League return. Osayi-Samuel has already joined the squad at their pre-season training base in Portugal and is expected to feature in upcoming friendlies against Braga and Getafe.

Fans have welcomed the signing with excitement, especially given Osayi-Samuel’s versatility and international pedigree. With the new season set to kick off in August, Birmingham’s recruitment strategy appears focused on experience, speed, and resilience—traits the Super Eagles defender brings in abundance.