Birmingham City have completed the sale of Icelandic international midfielder Willum Willumsson to Dutch Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen, with the player making a surprisingly honest admission about his transfer priorities.
Unexpected Return to Familiar Territory
Willumsson has revealed that returning to the Eredivisie wasn't his primary objective during the recent January transfer window, despite his successful history in Dutch football. The 27-year-old midfielder was sold to NEC Nijmegen just eighteen months after Birmingham City signed him from fellow Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles.
NEC Nijmegen currently occupy third position in the Eredivisie standings, putting them in a strong position to secure European football for the upcoming 2026/27 season. This represents a significant opportunity for both the club and their new signing.
A Candid Transfer Admission
In his first interview since completing the move to NEC, Willumsson offered refreshing honesty about his career trajectory. "I always liked Holland, the league, the football and the fans," the midfielder explained, "but I wouldn't say it was top of my list."
Despite this initial hesitation, Willumsson expressed genuine enthusiasm about his new opportunity. "When the opportunity came I was really excited to come back and play for NEC," he continued. "It's a big club with exciting prospects."
Birmingham City Departure and Championship Challenges
During his time at Birmingham City, Willumsson made sixty appearances for the Blues and scored seven goals across all competitions. However, questions persisted about whether his technical playing style was ideally suited to the physically demanding Championship environment.
The Icelandic international faced additional challenges during his final months at St Andrew's, missing three months of football through injury before returning to start three matches over the festive period. Unfortunately, Birmingham failed to secure victory in any of those three games.
Reflecting on Dutch Football Qualities
Willumsson reflected warmly on the qualities that initially attracted him to Dutch football and that he has now returned to experience. "The football in Holland is always nice," he observed. "Most of the teams want to play, there are good technical players so you enjoy playing with them and can link up well."
The midfielder added with apparent nostalgia: "I would probably say that's one of the things I missed the most" during his time in English football.
Looking Forward with NEC Nijmegen
Willumsson now joins an NEC Nijmegen side enjoying one of their strongest seasons in recent memory. The club's current third-place position offers genuine prospects of European qualification, providing the Icelandic midfielder with an exciting platform to continue his professional development.
While his return to the Netherlands might not have been his initial priority, Willumsson appears genuinely motivated by the opportunity to contribute to NEC's push for European football and rediscover the technical, attacking style of play that first brought him recognition in Dutch football.
