Good-bye: Birmingham City favourite nears ‘transfer coup’ move to Indian Super League…

Birmingham City Favourite Nears ‘Transfer Coup’ Move to Indian Super League

The latest transfer news from BirminghamLive reports that a former Birmingham City fan-favorite is poised to embark on a new chapter in his career.

Jon Toral’s Career Move

Jon Toral, celebrated for his time at Birmingham City, is preparing to advance his career by joining the Indian Super League team, Mumbai City.

According to the website IFTWC, the 29-year-old Toral is currently finalizing his medical examination and completing necessary paperwork. Once these formalities are concluded, he will secure his move to the Indian Super League.

This potential transfer is seen as a significant move by Mumbai City, indicating their ambition and reflecting the growing appeal of the Indian Super League to higher-caliber football players.

Role and Replacement

Toral is expected to fill the void left by another former Birmingham City player, Greg Stewart. Stewart had a successful two-year stint in the Indian Super League before moving back to Scotland to join Kilmarnock.

Career Journey

For Toral, this move marks a new phase in his diverse career, which has spanned multiple countries. He began in Spain, moved to England, spent time in Scotland, and most recently played in Crete with the Greek Super League team OFI. Toral has recently left OFI after helping the team secure a tenth-place finish in a league dominated by PAOK. Over three seasons with OFI, he scored 15 goals in 78 appearances.

Time at Birmingham City

Toral had two notable periods at Birmingham City. His first tenure was on loan from Arsenal during the 2015/16 season, where he performed exceptionally well under manager Gary Rowett. The team finished tenth, and Toral’s efforts earned him both the Players’ Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards.

He returned to Birmingham City for the 2020/21 season, but his impact was limited by injuries and inconsistent team selections under Aitor Karanka. During this second stint, he managed to score only once in 18 games and left the club after his one-year contract expired.