What’s happened to Kai Wagner since leaving Birmingham City for MLS return? | OneFootball

The German full-back's spell at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park lasted six months

Birmingham City's season is currently on pause for the three-week international break between September and October, allowing Chris Davies and his staff to reflect on the first eight matches of the Championship season.

Plenty of eyes are now cast on developments at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park due to the lofty ambitions made clear by Blues' American investors, and it has certainly been an encouraging start.

However, once Championship football returns on October 10th against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns, the 41-year-old will be hoping his side can turn their many early-season draws into wins.

After overseeing plenty of squad turnover since his appointment in B9 two summers ago, the most-recent transfer window was extremely quiet by Birmingham's recent standards, as only seven additions were made to Davies' squad.

Meanwhile five players have departed the club since the end of last season, with Kai Wagner's sudden return to Major League Soccer side, Philadelphia Union, causing plenty of surprise in mid-July.

But now the current season is two months old, how has the German defender fared since moving back to Subaru Park?

Kai Wagner impressed during his six-month stint at Birmingham City

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The full-back was recruited by Blues for £2m in early January and had been dubbed as an 'assist king' due to his prior exploits in the MLS, where he featured in the division's Best XI on two occasions.

Wagner even marked his debut with an assist for compatriot, Marvin Ducksch, in the thrilling 3-2 victory over last season's champions, Coventry City, before going on to make just 18 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring once.

Impressing in many of those games, it was seen as a blow for Davies when, even though a profit was made through a reported £3.8m agreement, Wagner confirmed his return to Pennsylvania was due to family reasons.

However, he was also grateful for the experience of playing in England, stating: “The experience was unbelievable, to be honest. I mean, the club is one of the biggest ones in England."

Kai Wagner has flourished for Philadelphia Union since MLS return

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Having amassed 10 goals and 54 assists in 253 appearances in his first spell with Philadelphia Union, it's fair to say the club's supporters wouldn't have been strangers to what Wagner is capable of producing when on top form.

His impact since returning to the club has been nothing short of sensational, as Ryan Richter's side have climbed from the foot of the Eastern Conference to sixth in two-and-a-half months.

Typically, the defender marked his second debut for Union with an assist in a 3-1 win over New York Red Bulls and was named Player of the Match, and he has since gone from strength-to-strength.

Wagner has played every league minute since his return to Subaru Park, racking up three assists in that time whilst also contributing to four clean sheets.

His appearance in the 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders on July 26th also marked a 200th overall outing in MLS.

How Birmingham City have addressed Kai Wagner void

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Last season saw left-back become a problem area for Birmingham, as both Alex Cochrane and Lee Buchanan struggled for fitness, but Davies has since been able to adress the initial void which was left by Wagner's exit.

Cochrane has started in seven of the club's first eight league matches and produced a solid level of performances in that time with one assist, whilst Kristoffer Lund joined from Palermo on a four-year contract.