Some Birmingham City fans are absolutely buzzing after the club announced the signing of winger and Nottingham Forest target Jeremie Bela.
The 26-year-old, who was heavily linked with a move with Forest over the last few weeks, was announced as a Blues’ player last night after a lengthy contractual dispute involving his former club.
Last season, Bela was at Spanish second division club Albacete and he had scored 11 times in the league, assisting twice. He also scored once in two of the club’s La Liga promotion games.
Some Birmingham fans are ecstatic about the new signing, with some feeling that the player.
Bela will tear u a new one!! Well played blues!! Hope he gets up to speed fast!! Welcome to the mighty blues!! Kro!!
— (@Leeosbo02086653) November 6, 2019
— Sam Power (@SamPowerBCFC) November 6, 2019
Get him on the number 11 promotion bus
— dale (@zdpj_) November 6, 2019
Peps promotion party
— ethan ?? (@ethannbcfc) November 6, 2019
The contractual dispute for Bela was something that confused many. Transfermarkt initially claimed that he was a free agent, but Albacete had stated that he had been signed to a new deal by the Segunda club.
Bela has previously played in France too, apart from Spain. He was at Dijon in Ligue 2 and appeared 81 times in all competitions for the club, scoring 12 times. He also assisted twice during this time.
At Lens, he played 23 times and scored twice. He also assisted once. Before joining Birmingham last night, Bela was also linked with a free transfer move to Spanish side Cadiz.
Some more fans felt that the new signings can lead the former Premier League side back up to the first division of England.
PROMOTIONNNN
— lozye west [LMcK] (@lozlims) November 6, 2019
— Oliver Hatton (@HattonOliver) November 6, 2019
What do we think?
While the move is still subject to international clearance, Bela adds much-needed depth to the club’s attacking options. While Fran Villalba and Daniel Crowley have done well on the flanks, Bela is versatile enough to play as a striker on a regular basis. He could well partner a proper target man striker in Lukas Jutkiewicz and add a fresh approach to Pep Clotet’s side.