German defender Kai Wagner has described a whirlwind 48 hours of stress and a remarkable 1,000-mile fitness regime that culminated in a dream debut for Birmingham City.
A Race Against Time for Clearance
The left-back's move from MLS side Philadelphia Union was only confirmed on Friday, leaving him in a frantic scramble to be eligible for Sunday's Championship clash against league leaders Coventry City. Wagner trained with the Blues' starting line-up on Saturday but did not receive the official green light to play until he was back at his hotel that evening.
"I’ve been under a lot of stress over the past 48 hours," Wagner admitted to BirminghamLive. "I didn’t know if I would actually be allowed to play today." His immediate focus was on adapting, stating his priority was to "get in shape and talk to the coaches about the playing style and talk to the teammates to learn them."
The 28-year-old is currently living in a hotel with his young family, which he humorously described as "a big mess with three kids in there!"
1,000 Miles on a Treadmill
With the MLS season concluding in late November, Wagner faced a six-week gap without a competitive match. To maintain his fitness during the uncertain transfer period, he embarked on an extraordinary solo training programme.
"I have done about 1,000 miles on a treadmill but nothing else," he revealed, explaining his preparation for the 72-minute debut. "It was a lot of running on the treadmill, a little bit with the ball too, but yesterday was the first [proper] session." He added that he had taken only seven days off after the American season finished, anticipating a potential move.
A Storybook Start at St Andrew's
Wagner's dedication paid off in spectacular fashion. Known for his creative output in MLS—providing 29 assists in his last three campaigns—he made an instant impact. Within six minutes of his debut, he set up striker Marvin Ducksch to score the opening goal in a thrilling 3-2 victory.
"When you write a book you always want to start like that," said a delighted Wagner. "I was a little bit nervous, it’s a new style for me and a new stadium with new fans." He joked that he had told Ducksch he would find him, praising his teammate's "great finish."
Looking ahead, Wagner acknowledged the need to build on this foundation: "I just have to maintain my fitness now, get back to full fitness, then people can expect much more." For Birmingham City fans, after this dramatic and successful introduction, those expectations will already be high.
