Disappointment makes the ups better for Paik

Paik Seung-ho has had his eyes opened by just how important football is to the people of the city since he made the move to England a year and a half ago.

- JOSEPH CHAPMAN

South Korea international Paik excelled in League One as was expected of him and, alongside Tomoki Iwata in midfield, he was a crucial member of the side under Chris Davies who secured an immediate return to the Championship in record-breaking fashion at the end of last season.

Paik had suffered the heartbreak of relegation the season previous, having only just arrived in the January transfer window. He scored the winning goal on the final day of the season against Norwich City under Gary Rowett, but it wasn’t enough at the time to retain Blues’ second tier status. They return to the division now and are predicted to be a force.