Familia-Castillo becomes Lee’s fourth signing
BIRMINGHAM City have confirmed the signing of Chelsea defender Juan Familia-Castillo.
The 21-year-old has signed a season-long loan and becomes the club’s fourth signing of the summer.
The Netherlands Under 20 player joins Ryan Woods, Chuks Aneke and Jordan Graham in Lee Bowyer’s remodelled squad.
He does so having spent virtually all of his recent career with the Stamford Bridge club out on loan.
He started last season on what was supposed to be a season-long loan with AZ Alkmaar but made only one senior appearance. As a result he was recalled and sent out to ADO Den Haag where he played 17 games either as left back or left wing back.
He has also spent a season in the
Dutch second tier with Jong Ajax, whom he helped finish fourth in the table, providing six assists.
The defender came through at Zeeburgia before attending the Ajax academy between 2009 and 2016. He moved to Chelsea five years ago.
He scored against Oxford United in the Checkatrade Trophy in 2018 and has been part of an Under 18s team which twice finished runners up in the UEFA Youth League.
He will come in to challenge Kristian Pedersen, George Friend and Steve Seddon for a role on the left of Bowyer’s defence.
Castillo said: “I am really pleased to have joined the club. After speaking with Lee Bowyer and Craig Gardner it was clear that Blues was the right place to play my football this season.
“The atmosphere around the place is really positive, so it is now a case of working hard during pre-season and being ready for the opening matches. The Championship is a really competitive division, and I am looking forward to challenging myself as well as helping the team to achieve its goals.” n Fran Villalba is due to return to training with Blues after 18 months playing for Almeria.
The midfielder has one year left on his deal and, as such, is expected to meet up with Lee Bowyer’s squad as they continue preparations for the 2021/2022 Championship campaign.
Villalba was not present at the club’s training camp in Troon last week, having been given extra time off with Almeria’s participation in the Segunda Division play-offs. However, Blues are open to sending the 23-year-old back out on loan for the final season of the contract he signed when he joined from Valencia.
To that end, Sporting Gijon have emerged as a possible suitor for the former Spain Under-19 player.
Villalba arrived at Blues in the summer of 2019, and despite some bright performances, scored only once in 17 games before departing on loan.