Revealed: The ‘incredible’ contract that almost tore Birmingham City apart

A general view outside the ground before the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Birmingham City Women and Leicester City Women at St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Birmingham, England.
(Image credit: Nathan Stirk - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Former Birmingham City star Curtis Davies has spoken to FourFourTwo about one player's contract, which almost tore the club apart – and how he backed his team-mate over the club.

Nikola Zigic was awarded a huge contract upon signing for the Blues – but it later transpired that the club had failed to put in a relegation clause to reduce his wages. Upon dropping to the Championship, Birmingham failed to find a new home for their  6ft 7in striker, even looking to sell homegrown goalkeeper Jack Butland as an easier asset to shift in the face of administration.

"I can’t shy away from the fact that we are paying a lot of money [to Zigic] which I’m sure we can’t [afford to]: he realises that," Birmingham chairman Peter Pannu said in 2012.

VIDEO: Why Darwin Nunez Will Silence All His Critics

Speaking to FourFourTwo, however, team-mate Curtis Davies has revealed why Zigic was well within his rights not to leave St. Andrew's – and how he was a lovely figure around the club, despite being a drain on resources. 

"I’m in the player’s corner – if he’s on a deal allegedly worth £60,000 a week, which goes up by £5,000 every season across four years, who’s the stupid one?" Davies said.

Nikola Zigic of Birmingham celebrates scoring their first goal during the Barclays premier league match between Birmingham City and Manchester City at St Andrews on February 2, 2011 in Birmingham, England.

Nikola Zigic was a white elephant in the Championship (Image credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

"Why should he walk away from that? The money was incredible. Plus, if he stayed in the country long enough, his daughters could become British citizens.

"Clubs talk about loyalty when a player leaves, but not when they’re trying to get rid of him. Ziggy wasn’t going to leave that contract. 

"He would have happily opened the gates every morning and closed them at night if he had to. He’d always say, 'Don’t worry, big man – I’m good.' A funny bloke and a gentle giant."

Gary Lineker Lineker and Alan Shearer have talked about the 'porn noise' controversy on the BBC.

Scott McTominay has revealed the United 'rocket up the backside' attitude after Fulham win.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.