Defender Jonathan Panzo has completed a move to Belgian Pro League side OH Leuven after being released by Birmingham City. The free transfer was confirmed this week, with the London-born centre-back finding a new club following his departure from St Andrew's at the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign.
According to a report from The72, an agreement has been reached for Panzo to join the Belgian outfit. The 25-year-old left-sided defender had previously spent time in Belgium on loan with Cercle Brugge and Standard Liege earlier in his career. His move to OH Leuven represents a return to a league he knows well.
What was Jonathan Panzo's Birmingham City career like?
Jonathan Panzo arrived at Birmingham City with a pedigree that included youth spells at Chelsea and AS Monaco, along with senior experience at Rio Ave in Portugal. His early displays under manager Chris Davies were encouraging, with the defender fitting into the system as a left-sided centre-back. However, strong competition for minutes limited his playing time as the 2024/25 season progressed, ultimately leading to his release when his contract expired.
Panzo's departure was part of a broader reshuffle as Davies looked to mould his squad. The manager has been eager to bolster the attack during this transfer window, with a creative number ten reportedly top of Birmingham City's shopping list in the closing stages. The club's aim is to break into the Championship play-off spots after what was described as a fairly underwhelming 2025/26 season.
How does Birmingham City's defence look now?
Birmingham City's centre-back department has seen little change this summer beyond Panzo's exit. The club has retained the services of Phil Neumann, Christoph Klarer, and Jack Robinson, while adding Dael Fry to the group. This provides Davies with several options at the heart of defence as the season progresses.
The current squad depth will be tested in the coming weeks, with Birmingham City sitting 8th in the Championship after three games. They have collected 5 points from one win and two draws, with a recent form of WDD. Their goal difference stands at +1, having scored 4 goals and conceded 3 so far this campaign. You can track their defensive record and other statistics on our stats page.
What is Birmingham City's current league position?
Chris Davies's side finds itself in a promising early position as they prepare for their next fixture. Birmingham City currently trails league leaders Charlton by just 4 points in the Championship table. This gives them a solid foundation to build upon as they target improvement on last season's performance.
The immediate focus turns to their next match against Southampton at St Andrew's on September 1st. Southampton currently sits 18th in the table, presenting an opportunity for Birmingham City to strengthen their position. Fans can view the full schedule on our fixtures page to see what lies ahead for the Blues.
Panzo's move to OH Leuven concludes his chapter with Birmingham City as both parties move forward with their respective campaigns. The defender will look to establish himself in Belgium while Birmingham City continues its push up the Championship standings, beginning with that important home game against Southampton. The current squad composition and league standings are available on our standings and squad pages for those following the team's progress.
