Liam Millar: Hull City loanee shines at Birmingham as Stoke City regret missed deal
Liam Millar has made four appearances for Birmingham City since joining on loan from Hull City, scoring once and providing three assists. Stoke City were reportedly keen on the Canada international before he moved to the Midlands, and the Potters may now regret missing out on the 26-year-old winger.
- Player: Liam Millar, 26, Canada international
- Current club: Birmingham City (on loan from Hull City)
- Birmingham stats: 4 appearances, 1 goal, 3 assists in all competitions
- Stoke interest: Reportedly keen near the end of the summer transfer window, but nothing materialised
- Hull contract: Expires June 2027, with a 12-month option to extend until 2028
- Birmingham loan: Runs until next summer at least
What was said
"Stoke City were said to be interested in landing the Canada international from Hull City but nothing materialised in the end. SCFC pursued other targets and he ended up joining fellow Championship side Birmingham City on loan instead."
"The Potters may now regret missing out on the attacker and he would have given them more quality at the top end of the pitch. He is quick, tricky and could have given the Staffordshire club something different cutting on his right foot from the left flank."
The numbers
Millar has made four appearances for Birmingham City in all competitions, scoring one goal and registering three assists. His contract at Hull City expires in June 2027, meaning he has entered his final year. The Tigers hold a 12-month option to extend his stay until 2028, so the ball lies in their court. Stoke City sold Sorba Thomas to Hull City on deadline day, which paved the way for Millar to head out on a temporary basis to Birmingham City.
Stoke City are currently sat inside the play-offs along with Middlesbrough, Wolves, West Brom, QPR and Bristol City after eight fixtures. The Potters ended up getting Justin Devenny from Crystal Palace, and he scored twice on his debut against Charlton Athletic. Although Devenny has done well, he is a different player to both Thomas and Millar and is left-footed for a start.
Millar's Hull City legacy and Birmingham impact
Liam Millar is a proven performer at second tier level and helped Hull City go up in the last campaign against the odds. They beat Middlesbrough in the play-off final at Wembley. The ex-Fulham, Liverpool and FC Basel man joined the Tigers back in 2024 under their ex-head coach Tim Walter. Prior to his switch to the MKM Stadium just over two years ago, he spent time on loan at Preston North End.
His move to Birmingham City has allowed him to enjoy plenty of game time, and he has become an important player for Chris Davies' side. The Blues have benefited from his quick, tricky style, and he has chipped in with one goal and three assists in four appearances. That output has caught the eye, and it is exactly the kind of contribution Stoke City could have used at the top end of the pitch.
Stoke City were linked with a move for Millar near the end of the summer transfer window. They were said to be keen on landing the forward but nothing materialised, and he ended up joining fellow Championship side Birmingham City on loan instead. The Potters pursued other targets, but the decision to let Millar go elsewhere may be one they look back on with regret, especially given his early form at St Andrew's.
Talking points
- Stoke's missed opportunity: The Potters were reportedly interested in Millar but failed to get a deal done, and his early Birmingham form suggests he could have added quality to their attack.
- Hull's contract control: Millar's Hull contract expires in June 2027, but the Tigers hold a 12-month option until 2028, giving them leverage over his future.
- Birmingham's loan benefit: Millar has become an important player for Chris Davies' side, with one goal and three assists in four appearances, and Birmingham are likely to pursue a permanent deal depending on how the rest of his spell goes.
What happens next
Millar will stick around at Birmingham City until next summer at least. Depending on how the rest of his spell with the Blues goes, they are likely to pursue a permanent deal. Stoke City may get the chance to rekindle their interest in Millar down the line, with the opportunity to bolster their ranks again in January. However, any future move would depend on Hull City's stance, given they hold the option to extend his contract until 2028.
Frequently asked questions
How has Liam Millar performed for Birmingham City?
Millar has made four appearances for Birmingham City in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing three assists. He has become an important player for Chris Davies' side and is enjoying plenty of game time.
Why did Stoke City miss out on Liam Millar?
Stoke City were linked with a move for Millar near the end of the summer transfer window and were said to be interested in landing him from Hull City, but nothing materialised. They pursued other targets, and he joined Birmingham City on loan instead.
What is Liam Millar's contract situation at Hull City?
His contract at Hull City expires in June 2027, meaning he has entered his final year. The Tigers hold a 12-month option to extend his stay until 2028, so the ball lies in their court.
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