Championship promotion hopefuls Birmingham City are a club known for their development of young talent, with England star Jude Bellingham at the top of that list, but it isn’t just the big names that make them successful.
Whilst the likes of the Bellingham’s, Jack Butland and Demarai Gray have all gone on to have successful careers at the highest level, the main job of an Academy is to develop young talent to help them further themselves – even if that means dropping into the depths of non-League football to make a name for themselves.
The National League alone is full of several former/current Birmingham City youngsters, each trying to learn the trades of the game in the competitive nature of the fifth tier – allowing them to further develop their qualities and weaker areas in order to gain success further down the line.
One of which could find himself contracted to a side likely to be gunning for an EFL return this campaign.
Former Birmingham Academy forward set for National League audition
As mentioned, Birmingham have several ties to the National League at present, with the likes of Ben Wodskou (Solihull Moors), David Davis (Kidderminster Harriers) and Josh Williams (Carlisle United) all competing next season.
In examples like Williams, he didn’t manage to achieve success at Birmingham, but used the developmental experience that he gained to further his career in non-League as a lone ranger – and the same can be said for current free agent Sahid Kamara Jr., who’s without a team after his exit from Braintree Town.
However, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Kamara Jr. is set to join National League side Southend United on trial, with a view to signing for Kieron Dyer’s side.
The 22-year-old joined Braintree on a free transfer last summer, following a loan spell with Welling United – and ended up having a tough stint with the Iron as they were relegated to the sixth tier of English football.
However, Kamara Jr. was a regular feature for Steve Pitt’s side, appearing 35 times in the National League alone, but was largely used as a substitute option and contributed to three goals in the division itself as well as another in the National League Cup.
Is a move to Southend likely?
Unlike some trialist’s, the winger will be of familiarity to supporters of Southend due to the goal he scored against them in April, during their 3-2 victory over Braintree.
The Shrimpers have already said goodbye to Gus Scott-Morriss this summer, who was largely responsible for a significant number of goals and assists over the last few campaigns – suggesting the work to replace his output continues.
Last season was Kamara Jr.’s first taste of National League football and showed flashes of brilliance in what was a struggling side, but his performance in the clash with the Shrimpers was almost enough to inspire a thrilling comeback from Braintree.
Southend themselves have already signed Maidenhead United’s Josh Popoola and Merthyr Town’s Lewis Twamley to further bolster their attacking options from wide areas, and Kamara Jr. would help to add to that – playing predominantly as a right winger.
As mentioned, he is available on a free transfer this summer and would present himself as a low-risk addition for the Shrimpers, increasing the amount of depth as well as adding both speed and flare to their front line moving into next season. If he impresses during his trial, the chances of him signing permanently would significantly increase.