Announcement imminent: Arsenal's Hale End product Akpom joins Birmingham City subject to medical

Birmingham City and Ajax Amsterdam have reportedly reached a club-to-club agreement for the transfer of Arsenal's Hale End Academy product Chuba Akpom.

According to Voetbal International, Birmingham City will sign Chuba Akpom on loan from Ajax, with the deal becoming permanent if the Blues secure promotion to the Premier League in the 2025-2026 campaign.

Akpom is set to become the second Nigerian player signed by Birmingham City in the summer transfer window, after Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, who was acquired following the expiration of his contract with Fenerbahce.

The 29-year-old is expected to arrive in England today to undergo a routine medical ahead of his official unveiling.

Akpom is returning to English football two years after his high-profile move to four-time European champions Ajax Amsterdam, with whom he is under contract until June 30, 2028.

Despite scoring an impressive 23 goals in 68 appearances, the forward has found it difficult to secure a consistent place in Ajax's starting lineup, resulting in a loan move to Lille for the latter half of last season.

Akpom has been deemed surplus to requirements at Ajax ahead of the new season due to his wages, but a permanent transfer was not considered feasible this summer.

The former Gunner has amassed 162 appearances in English football across seven different clubs, including a dozen outings for his boyhood team, Arsenal.

During his time at Arsenal, Akpom enjoyed loan spells at Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion, before later featuring for Middlesbrough ahead of his move to Ajax.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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