Birmingham City have secured the signature of Tahith Chong on a permanent basis from English giants Manchester United late on transfer deadline day. The Red Devils had already lost James Garner to Everton on the final day of the transfer window, but they have now seen another youngster leave in the form of Chong.
The highly talented winger spent the 2021/22 season on loan at the Midlands club, scoring one goal and registering three assists in 20 Championship appearances.
The player will hope to build on what was a successful first stint at the club.
He Is Back: Tahith Chong Joins Birmingham on a Permanent Basis
Blues are delighted to announce the permanent signing of @TahithC! 🙌🔵
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) September 1, 2022
Looking Back on His Time at Manchester United
In regards to his Manchester United career, Chong can hold his head up high. He should be incredibly proud of himself.
In total, he made 20 senior appearances for the club – an achievement which should not be overlooked. Many established professionals with far more experience than the 22-year-old can only dream of making such appearances for a club of Manchester United’s calibre.
He wasn’t just making up the numbers either. In those 20 appearances, he bagged himself two goals and registered a further three assists.
Those returns, combined with his impressive displays for the club at the youth level, mean that Tahith Chong will be a player missed by Manchester United. That is an achievement in itself.
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Tahith Chong. 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣. pic.twitter.com/NjRJrAnC2M
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) September 1, 2022
Chong’s First Stint at Birmingham
As mentioned, the 22-year-old winger spent last season on loan at Birmingham and registered a goal and three assists in 20 appearances. That gives him an average of one goal contribution every five games. For a young player at a new club in a new league, that is more than respectable.
However, it wasn’t just his performances on the pitch that made his return a no-brainer. From the very moment that he stepped foot into St Andrew’s, the fans adored him and that love went a very long way to persuading the Dutchman to make his move a permanent one.
In an Instagram message, he sent out to the fans of Birmingham City after his loan move had expired, Chong stated: “I have felt the love from the moment I stepped in. This past year Birmingham has felt like family to me and for that I will forever be grateful.
“A thank you to the manager for the trust he showed me. All the staff for helping me thru the season and lastly I want to say thank you to the fans for all the support they have showed the team. Birmingham will always be family. KRO”
Feeling the love from the fans is one of the most important factors in a player’s desire to stay at a club, and Chong clearly felt that love in abundance at Birmingham City.
The fans of Birmingham have given Tahith Chiong the platform he needs in order to thrive and in return, they’ll simply hope to see some more of the magic he was able to showcase in his first spell at the club.
