Birmingham City have added a seventh summer signing on transfer deadline day, bringing in Liam Millar on loan from Hull City for the remainder of the Championship season. Chris Davies believes the 26-year-old winger gives the Blues exactly the sort of proven option they needed in one area of the pitch.
The move comes after Millar was pictured at St Andrew's on Tuesday night before Birmingham City's Championship meeting with Southampton. He had only a year remaining on his Hull City contract, and his arrival gives Birmingham another experienced attacking option as they prepare for the next stage of the campaign.
Davies: Millar fits the profile Birmingham wanted
Davies was clear that the signing was targeted rather than opportunistic. “Liam is a proven Championship performer who has significant experience at this level,” he said.
He added: “It was an area of the pitch where we wanted to strengthen, and Liam fits the profile we were looking for.” That is an important point, because deadline day deals are often about filling numbers, but Birmingham appear to have focused on bringing in a player with a specific role in mind.
The Birmingham City manager also pointed to Millar’s wider background, saying he has “consistently” shown that he can perform in the Championship and contribute to successful teams. He also highlighted the winger’s international pedigree, with Millar having built up a wealth of experience for Canada.
Why Millar looks like a useful addition
Millar has previously had spells with Kilmarnock, Charlton, Basel and Preston, which gives him a broad level of experience across different environments. For Birmingham, that matters. This is not a signing based on potential alone, but on a player who has already done the job at this level and arrives with a sense of readiness.
Davies also said Millar has had “a really strong start to this season” and comes in “with a real appetite to want to come and play for Birmingham City.” That is exactly the sort of profile a club wants when it is trying to add quality late in the window.
There is also a quick turnaround to consider. Millar scored the only goal in Hull City’s victory over Coventry City on Saturday, so he has arrived in good form. He is expected to be available for selection on Sunday when Birmingham City host Wolverhampton Wanderers, which means the impact of the loan could be felt almost immediately.
Davies summed up the move by saying: “We’re delighted to have him on board and are looking forward to working with him.” For Birmingham, the main question now is whether Millar can turn a deadline day signing into a genuine boost for the rest of the season.
