Birmingham City hit the jackpot for £6m star who 'was on an absolute joke of a wage' | OneFootball

FLW's bluenose Fan Pundit believes Nikola Zigic was worth every penny when he signed from Valencia

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It's been over ten years since Serbian striker Nikola Zigic last played for Birmingham City, but there's an assurance that "all Blues fans" still love him.

The West Midlands outfit first signed the 6ft 8in forward when he was 29-years-old, for a fee reported to be around the £6m mark - all before technically re-signing him on reduced terms when that first deal ended.

Given that he netted 37 goals across 159 appearances in all competitions for them, a ratio at around 0.23 goals per game, what makes Zigic still so fondly remembered by Birmingham fans?

FLW find out from someone who remembers his strengths - and 'weaknesses' - very well.

Nikola Zigic "couldn't run to save his life" at Birmingham City

Our bluenose Fan Pundit, Jason Moore, believes Zigic was worth every penny of the investment the club made when recruiting him from Valencia.

In his words, Zigic was a player who did exactly what was asked of him, showing the right attributes required to play well in English football - despite his pretty obvious limitations.

"I mean, I absolutely love Nikola Zigic," Moore stated when reflecting on the Serbian's Blues career.

"He couldn’t run to save his life, and there was no pace there whatsoever, but for me, I loved him."

Zigic's inaugural Premier League season in 10/11 proved to be his most significant contribution to Birmingham's silverware collection, securing the club's first major trophy in 48 years.

Of course, he opened the scoring at Wembley in that 2011 League Cup final against Arsenal, with his glancing header giving Birmingham a 28th-minute lead.

"I thought he was good when we were in the Premier League, granted there were better players out there, but when we were in the Championship he was absolutely amazing," Moore continued.

"He did what he was supposed to do, he was a big man, and he won headers and he scored goals."

"Cult hero" Nikola Zigic still loved by "all Blues fans"

Where Zigic truly proved his value to Birmingham City then, in the eyes of Moore, was during the club's period in the second-tier following their subsequent relegation the year of the Carling Cup win.

"Yeah, he probably could’ve done a bit better at times but for the price we paid for him he’s like a cult hero to be honest, I love big Zigic, and I think all Blues fans love big Zigic," Moore continued.

Refusing to criticise the player personally, Moore acknowledged the uncomfortable realities of the Serb’s contract during the years he spent in the second tier.

"I will still always look back at him as a great buy, and I remember the fact he was coming from Valencia - we all thought we were getting this absolute bagsman - and he came and he could barely move.

"But, you know what, he came, he did what he had to do. Unfortunately, he was on an absolute joke of a wage in the Championship but I’ve got nothing bad to say about the bloke, I love him," Moore told FLW.

This wage did make Zigic stubborn to exit the West Midlands, as he reportedly wanted other clubs to match his £50k-a-week salary when Birmingham tried to offload him.

Ultimately, while he may not have been the most technically gifted striker to wear a Blues shirt, Zigic delivered when it mattered most - it might actually be worth wondering where they would be right now if they didn't sign him.

Considering he scored the first goal of the 2-2 comeback draw away at Bolton to stay up in the Championship, in 13/14, the Serb did a whole lot more than most. You could argue there would've been no Europe, cup win and perhaps League One football without him.

"We’ll always have that funny clip of him trying to do the Christmas video, so he’ll always live fondly in Blues’ memory," the Fan Pundit concluded.