Tony Mowbray has made another addition to Birmingham City’s midfield during the ongoing transfer window. The club has secured its second signing of the January transfer period by bringing in Paik Seung-ho.
The South Korean international has inked a 2.5-year deal, joining QPR loanee Andre Dozzell in Tony Mowbray’s midfield. The agreement is valid until June 2026, contingent upon international clearance.
Paik, who recently played for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, opted for a free transfer to Birmingham City despite reported interest from other clubs, including Sunderland. The competition for his signature was said to be intense across various European teams.
Paik reunites with compatriots Choe Yu-ri and Cho So-hyun, who joined the Blues women, marking his return to European football. Beginning his career in South Korea, Paik moved to the Barcelona youth set-up at the age of 13. While he featured for Barcelona B, a full breakthrough eluded him, leading to a stint with Girona. His journey also took him to German second-tier side Darmstadt 98 before returning to Jeonbuk in 2021.
The 26-year-old, who has earned 15 caps for his national team, including appearances in the 2022 World Cup, brings experience and skill. Known for his remarkable long-range strike against Brazil, Paik is expected to compete for a midfield position as Mowbray aims to transition the team to a more possession-oriented style.
Mowbray expressed his excitement about Paik’s arrival, highlighting the player’s forward-thinking approach, ability to shoot from a distance, quality passing, and tireless work ethic. The manager praised South Korean players as “amazing human beings” who are dedicated, receptive to coaching, and committed to improvement. He looks forward to Paik’s contribution to propelling the team forward.
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