Who are the 5 best Birmingham City academy graduates? From Jack Butland to Jude Bellingham, uncover the stories of the stars forged at Wast Hills.
While the youth systems of the Premier League’s financial juggernauts often dominate the headlines, the Birmingham City academy has quietly earned a reputation as a reliable developer of footballing talent.
Nestled in the club’s Wast Hills training ground, this historic center has cultivated raw potential into world-class ability, emphasizing grit, technical foundation, and early first-team exposure.
Let’s chart the top five Birmingham City academy graduates in this article
5. Jack Butland
Discovered by scouts while playing for his local youth side, Clevedon United, the club brought Jack Butland into the Wast Hills setup in 2007 at just 14 years old.
After refining his trade during loan spells, Butland made his senior debut in 2012. During the 2012–13 Championship campaign, a 19-year-old Butland became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, starting every league fixture. His lightning-fast reflexes drew major attention.
However, with Birmingham facing financial difficulties, they were forced to cash in. In January 2013, Butland was sold to Premier League side Stoke City for approximately £3.3 million.
At Stoke, Butland evolved into a formidable Premier League goalkeeper, earning nine caps for England and securing spots in the Euro 2012 and 2018 World Cup squads. Overcoming severe ankle injuries mid-career, Butland showcased remarkable resilience and currently stars for Scottish giants Rangers.
4. Nathan Redmond
A true homegrown success story, Nathan Redmond perfectly embodies the flair cultivated within the Birmingham City youth system.
Born in Birmingham, Redmond joined his boyhood club at the age of eight in 2002. His academy journey was characterized by explosive pace and a fearless desire to take on defenders. Redmond’s senior debut came in August 2010, making him Birmingham’s second-youngest player at the time.
His definitive breakout occurred during the 2011–12 season. Redmond’s fearless dribbling became the offensive focal point for Birmingham in the Championship and their memorable UEFA Europa League run, paralyzing opposition full-backs with his trickery.
By summer 2013, Norwich City secured his signature for roughly £3.2 million. Redmond established himself as an incredibly durable Premier League winger, amassing over 260 top-flight appearances. His most notable stint came during a highly productive six-year tenure at Southampton, which also earned him a senior cap for the England national team.
3. Demarai Gray
Initially spotted at local youth team Cadbury Athletic, Demarai Gray entered the Birmingham City academy in 2006 at the age of ten, developing a highly technical, direct style of play.
Following his 2013 debut, Gray blossomed. He became famous in the Championship for cutting inside aggressively from the left flank to unleash powerful strikes. During his two full seasons as a regular, he was the absolute offensive engine for Birmingham, single-handedly winning matches and attracting scouts globally.
@efl Demarai Gray back at it for @Birmingham City FC . 💙 #EFLUSA ♬ sonido original – EFL
His initial departure came in January 2016 when Leicester City activated a £3.75 million release clause, leading to a Premier League title victory later that year.
After subsequent spells with Everton, Bayer Leverkusen, and the Saudi Pro League – alongside becoming a talismanic figure for the Jamaica national team, Gray completed an emotional homecoming by returning to Birmingham City in July 2025.
2. Trevor Francis
Before the era of astronomical valuations, Trevor Francis altered the financial landscape of British football. Scouted in Plymouth, he joined the Birmingham City academy as a 15-year-old schoolboy in 1969. His prodigious talent earned him his senior professional debut just a year later at 16.
Over the next decade, Francis was a phenomenon. Combining blistering pace with a ruthless finishing instinct, he scored 119 goals in 280 appearances for the club. Throughout the 1970s, he carried the Blues’ attack, cementing his status as one of the most feared English attackers of his generation.
His brilliance culminated in a groundbreaking transfer in February 1979, when Brian Clough brought him to Nottingham Forest for exactly £1 million, making Francis the first player in British football history to command a seven-figure fee.
He justified the sum by scoring the winning header in the 1979 European Cup Final, helped Forest retain the trophy in 1980, and earned 52 caps for England.
1. Jude Bellingham
There is no debate regarding the number one spot.
Jude Bellingham is actively cementing his place as one of the greatest midfielders in history. A hometown hero, Bellingham joined the academy as an eight-year-old in 2010. Gliding through every age bracket at Wast Hills, he demonstrated an unprecedented blend of tactical intelligence and physical dominance.
During his solitary full senior season in 2019–20, Bellingham played with the authority of a veteran. At 16 years and 38 days old, he became Birmingham’s youngest-ever player, soon becoming their youngest goalscorer. Dictating the tempo of Championship matches, he carried the team as a high school student.
Recognizing this generational talent, Borussia Dortmund signed the 17-year-old in July 2020 for an initial £25 million. This colossal sum single-handedly saved Birmingham City from bankruptcy. In profound gratitude, the club famously retired his number 22 shirt.
Since leaving, Bellingham’s trajectory has been stratospheric. After winning Bundesliga Player of the Season, he moved to Real Madrid, immediately dominating La Liga, lifting the UEFA Champions League, and earning the Golden Boy award. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Bellingham ascended to the throne of world football.
Delivering a masterful tournament, he scored an outstanding seven goals to claim the Bronze Boot. His tireless performances led the England national team to a highly impressive third-place finish. The boy from Wast Hills now stands as the undisputed king of the footballing world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Birmingham City Academy Graduates
Q: Where is the Birmingham City academy located?
A: The Birmingham City youth academy is based at the Wast Hills Training Ground in Kings Norton, Birmingham. This facility houses training pitches and medical centers for all youth squads up to the senior team.
Q: What is the record transfer fee received for a Birmingham City academy graduate?
A: The transfer of Jude Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund holds the club record. In 2020, Dortmund paid an initial fee of £25 million, which later increased significantly due to add-ons and a sell-on clause when he joined Real Madrid.
Q: Why did Birmingham City retire Jude Bellingham‘s number 22 shirt?
A: Birmingham City retired the No. 22 jersey in 2020 to honor Bellingham’s extraordinary contribution. The massive club-record transfer fee generated by his sale directly rescued the club from a severe financial crisis and potential administration.
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