Ex-Birmingham City and West Brom star Jonathan Leko seals surprise move to Welsh club | OneFootball

The former Blues and Albion winger is the latest ex-EFL star to sign for Penybont FC

Former Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion winger, Jonathan Leko, has secured a surprise transfer move at the end of the summer, joining Welsh Premier League side, Penybont FC.

With his two most-notable former clubs hoping to reach the Premier League in the coming years under Chris Davies and James Morrison, the experienced wide player has opted for an intriguing latest challenge, where he also isn't the only former household EFL name to sign for the club.

However, much like the Championship, League One and League Two, Penybont only had a matter of days to go to secure the services of the 27-year-old, as the transfer window for the Welsh Premier League also shuts on Tuesday, September 1st.

Leko had recently spent time with MK Dons, who were promoted back to the third tier of English football at the end of last season.

Jonathan Leko's intriguing career path has taken him to Penybont FC

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The DR Congo-born winger, who was raised in the Nechells area of Birmingham as a youngster, initially kickstarted his career with West Brom, joining the academy at The Hawthorns at the age of 11 in 2010.

Leko was brought through the Baggies academy at the same time as Burundi international, Saido Berahino, who was unable to fulfil his own potential, with the wide player making his debut for the Black Country outfit in September 2015, before making his Premier League debut against Sunderland in April 2016.

After turning professional that summer, Leko went on to play just 23 times in West Brom's senior team during a period in which he was also loaned out to Bristol City and Charlton Athletic.

He would then make the short switch to Birmingham in August 2020, featuring 50 times at St. Andrew's in all competitions and scoring just the once, before moving to MK Dons in the summer of 2023 amid Knighthead's takeover in B9, whilst his time at Stadium:MK also included a loan spell at Burton Albion.

However, he has now put pen-to-paper at the DragonBet Stadium, with Penybont starting the Welsh Premier League season with three wins and one draw.

Jonathan Leko transfer was eyed by another EFL club this summer before Penybont switch

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As previously mentioned, Leko's most-recent career spell came in Buckinghamshire, before he was released from Paul Warne's squad in June upon the expiration of his contract after making 77 appearances for the Dons, in which he scored eight times and provided five assists.

However, it was also reported that the wide player was on trial with Notts County ahead of their own return to League One last season.

But, after appearing to spend time with Martin Paterson's side in pre-season, it appears the Magpies were not willing to offer Leko his latest reprieve in the professional game, and now he will go in search of reviving his career in South Wales.

Jonathan Leko links up with former Championship striker Tyler Walker at Penybont FC

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However, Leko is not the only former Championship player to feature at Penybont this season, as earlier in the month, Rhys Griffiths was able to confirm the capture of Nottingham Forest academy graduate, Tyler Walker.

The 29-year-old has made over 100 appearances in England's second tier, but recently revealed what lured him to the Bridgend outfit, which could have also aided Leko's fresh decision.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. Challenging at the top of the league and challenging for European football is definitely it," he said.

“It was a massive thing for me to come here and see what we can do. It’s been a really good week, and we’re looking to build off that result.”