Birmingham City are preparing for their second season back in the Championship this summer, aiming to lead the team back to the Premier League for the first time since 2011. The Midlands outfit have invested heavily in the first team squad under Knighthead Capital, a group led by Tom Wagner, in the last couple of years. ## What happened? Birmingham City have confirmed five signings this summer, including Jhon Solis, Luis Vazquez, Kristoffer Lund, Dael Fry, and James Beadle. The signings come as the club prepares for the new Championship season, which begins on 15 August with a clash against Sheffield United. ## Why it matters for Birmingham City Clotet, who was manager at Birmingham during the 2019/20 campaign, has posted an emotional message following his attendance at the club's friendly against Barcelona. The 49-year-old has claimed that returning to St. Andrew's has reminded him why he fell in love with football, and he praised the relationship the club has with its fans and its history. ## What comes next? Wagner reacted to Clotet's message by giving it a like, with the American becoming a popular figure at St. Andrew's due to his investment into Birmingham in the last couple of years. The Blues are in the process of building a new 62,000-seater stadium as part of Knighthead Capital's investment into the club. Birmingham have also spent heavily on the first team squad since Wagner became involved, even breaking the League One transfer record to sign Jay Stansfield for £15 million in 2024. The Championship side have confirmed five signings this summer, as they set their sights on a top eight finish. And their preparations for the new campaign even saw them host Barcelona in a major pre-season friendly, with a lot of familiar faces in attendance, such as Jude Bellingham and Pep Clotet. The friendly with Barcelona was an exciting occasion for fans ahead of the new season, with the two sides drawing 2-2. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 10th in Championship, 64 pts, 17W-13D-16L from 46 games, recent form DWWDW. Goals this season: 57 scored, 56 conceded (+1 goal difference). Title race: 31 points behind leaders Coventry.