Baek Seung-ho’s renewal reveals Birmingham City’s ambition.
“Birmingham spent 24 million pounds (about 42.2 billion won) this summer and paid 15 million pounds (about 26.4 billion won) to Jay Stansfield,” the U.K.’s Football League World said on the 8th (Korea Standard Time). It spent a lot of money, but keeping Baek Seung-ho was the best option. Baek Seung-ho is an outstanding player to play in the English League One (third division). He has formed a midfield partnership with Tomoki Iwata and is playing a decisive role in promoting Birmingham.
“It meant a lot to Birmingham to catch Baek despite their interest in the English Championship (minor league) this summer. Leeds United and Sheffield United targeted him, but they caught him and tied him up with an extension contract. It shows their club’s ambition. Baek has played an important role as he started in all nine games for Birmingham, which is in the lead.”
Paik played in Barcelona, Girona, and Darmstadt before moving to Jeonbuk Hyundai. He displayed strong performance in Jeonbuk and garnered a goal in the match against Brazil at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, making his name known even more. He was substituted as a wild card at the Hangzhou Asian Games and played as a captain wearing the captain’s armband. He was exempted from the military due to his gold medal.
He moved to Birmingham, the championship team, last winter. He struggled to stay in Birmingham while playing in the second half of the year, but ended up being demoted. Baek, who also excelled in relegation to Birmingham, was expected to move to the team, but he did not let Birmingham go. Eventually, Baek ended up playing in League One. Baek is playing as a key resource, and coach Chris Davis has shown high trust.
The British newspaper Birmingham Mail said, “Baek Seung-ho is armed with both physical and mobility. He is not fixed to any one spot and has been playing an active role by properly changing positions with Iwata. Baek is playing in League One and was not selected as a member of the Korean national team recently, but he is looking forward to promotion to the championship. Baek and Iwata are the best midfielders in Birmingham over the past 10 years. He once had a midfielder of this level when Birmingham was in the Premier League.”
While playing for Birmingham, Paik made a surprise contract renewal. “Baek has signed a contract extension with the club. We promised the future until June 2028,” Birmingham officially announced on its website on Sunday.
“I’m so happy to sign a new contract with Birmingham. Now that the new season has begun, I feel like I can do something really big. I can see that we’re moving in a good direction by looking at what we do and how we play every day. I think staying here will help my career,” Baek said, expressing his feelings on renewing his contract.
Former England international Carlton Palmer said on Football League World, “Baek Seung-ho’s renewal is fantastic news for Birmingham fans. League One-leading Birmingham lost to Charlton Athletic, but has been doing very well. Baek’s renewal is a great pleasure. There was a lot of interest in him, but he signed. Without a doubt, Birmingham will win League One.” 안전놀이터
Palmer also expressed his positive outlook by saying, “I am planning to return to the Championship, but considering the club’s greed, I had to catch Baek Seung-ho. You can go to the Premier League while being promoted to back-to-back just like Ipswich Town. If we catch players of the same level as Baek Seung-ho, Ipswich will become the next Ipswich.”