Done deal as Birmingham City land £16m winger in major January move

Birmingham City have added further attacking depth to their squad after completing the loan signing of winger Ibrahim Osman from Brighton & Hove Albion until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old Ghana international arrives at St Andrew’s following the early termination of his loan spell with French Ligue 1 side Auxerre. Brighton opted to recall Osman midway through the campaign to give him the opportunity to experience English football for the first time in his career, with Birmingham emerging as his next destination.

Birmingham City have completed the signing of Ibrahim Osman on loan from Brighton

Osman featured regularly for Auxerre earlier this season, making 14 league appearances and registering two assists. While he struggled to establish himself as a guaranteed starter, the winger gained valuable experience in a competitive top-flight environment before Brighton decided a move to the Championship would better suit his development at this stage.

Signed by Brighton for around £16 million 18 months ago, Osman arrived on the south coast with a growing reputation after impressing in Denmark. However, breaking into the Seagulls’ first team proved difficult, and the club opted to send him out on loan to gain consistent senior minutes. His time away from Brighton has included spells in the Netherlands and France, with Birmingham now becoming the third club to take him on loan since his arrival in England.

Last season, Osman enjoyed a more productive period with Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. He scored three goals and provided three assists across 22 league appearances, while also featuring prominently in European competition. The winger played seven matches in the Champions League, gaining experience at the highest level and showcasing flashes of the talent that persuaded Brighton to invest heavily in him.

Birmingham City have been actively searching for reinforcements in wide areas throughout the January transfer window. The club recently saw a proposed deal for Mjallby winger Abdoulie Manneh fall through at a late stage, forcing them to turn their attention elsewhere. Osman now arrives as an alternative option, bringing pace, versatility, and attacking threat to Chris Davies’ squad.

A right-footed winger capable of operating on either flank, Osman offers flexibility in the final third. His arrival is expected to increase competition for places, particularly alongside established wide players such as Demarai Gray and Patrick Roberts. With a busy second half of the season ahead, Birmingham will be hoping Osman can add fresh energy and creativity as they push on in the Championship.

The move marks Birmingham’s third loan signing from Brighton this season. Goalkeeper James Beadle joined earlier in the campaign and has gone on to establish himself as a key figure, while defender Eiran Cashin also arrived on loan before being recalled by the Seagulls and subsequently sent to Blackburn Rovers. Osman now becomes the latest Brighton loanee to pull on the Blues shirt.

He is also Birmingham’s third addition of the January transfer window. The club has already welcomed Kai Wagner from MLS side Philadelphia Union and midfielder Jhon Solis, as the recruitment team works to strengthen the squad in key areas. The focus has been on adding quality without compromising long-term planning, with loan deals forming a central part of that strategy.

For Osman, the move represents a fresh opportunity to reignite his progress after mixed spells abroad. The Championship’s physicality and intensity will pose a different challenge to what he has experienced in France and the Netherlands, but Birmingham believe the winger’s pace and technical ability can translate effectively to English football.

Brighton, meanwhile, will be hoping that regular minutes in the second tier help Osman develop further and regain confidence. At just 21, the Ghanaian remains a long-term project for the Premier League club, and a successful loan at Birmingham could play an important role in shaping his future.

As the season enters a crucial phase, Birmingham supporters will be eager to see how quickly Osman settles into his new surroundings. With attacking reinforcements now in place and competition for places increasing, the Blues will hope their January business provides the spark needed to build momentum in the months ahead.