Birmingham City have confirmed the signing of Queen’s Park Rangers striker Lyndon Dykes ahead of their weekend fixture against Wigan Athletic.
Rumours have been circulating since the weekend about Dykes’ departure from the West London side after being left out of the Rangers squad in their game against Plymouth. Those rumours have been confirmed with Birmingham completing the signing of the striker on a three year deal for a reported fee of £1.5 million.
From the Gold Coast to the Second City – Dykes’ career to date
The striker was born in Queensland, Australia to Scottish parents. Having spent his younger years playing rugby league, he switched to football and appeared for a number of Australian sides including Mudgeeraba, Merrimac, Gold Coast City.
Dykes’ first move to the UK to play football was north of the border for Queen of the South where he made 136 appearances and scored 22 goals. A spell at Livingstone followed before the 28 year old signed a four-year deal with QPR in 2020.
In his four years in West London, Dykes made 165 appearances and scored 37 goals. After signing for Rangers, Dykes was called up to the Scotland squad for the first time, picking the Tartan Army over Australia, and made his international debut in September 2020. He has since made 36 appearances for the national side, scoring nine goals including a spot in the delayed EURO 2020 squad.
Having impressed during QPR’s escape from relegation last season, the striker has taken a step down to join Birmingham in their ambition to gain promotion from League One at the first time of asking. Dykes believed that the long term ambition from the club was a key reason for signing:
“The Club has a clear aim for where they want to go in the future. It is ambitious and that is like myself as a player. I want to get to the top and I am hoping that I can be with Birmingham”.
What can Dykes bring to Birmingham?
The signing of the QPR striker is another statement of intent from Birmingham City having signed Alfie May, Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Marc Leonard, amongst others, so far this transfer window.
One of the main benefits that Dykes will bring to this Birmingham squad is his character and experience. Having made over 100 appearances in the second-tier, the 28 year old will be able to pass on his wisdom and experience to fellow striker Alfie May.
Dykes is a determined individual who will put in maximum effort every time he pulls on a Birmingham shirt. This determination was emphasised by Steve Clarke when Dykes received his first Scotland call-up:
“The lad himself has got a really good attitude and wants to get better and better. Hopefully he keeps improving and can step up to international level too”.
The Scotland international brings a physical threat to Birmingham’s front line and an ability for the side to defend from the front. Looking at his stats from QPR last season, Dykes won 82.9% of tackles made and an average of 2.99 recoveries per 90 minutes on average.
When looking at his physicality, the striker won 5.81 aerial duels on average per 90 minutes with a third of the goals scored being headers. Livingston manager, David Martindale described Dykes as a typical ‘number nine’ with the attributes the player has:
“He is an excellent finisher, very good in the air, he’s got a turn of pace, he’s physical and his link up play is second to none. I knew I had an athlete, I knew I had someone who could mix it up and bully centre-halves but also someone who could go in behind”.
How will Dykes fit into Birmingham’s side?
The 28 year old is someone who will put the team before individual achievements which could work well for providing opportunities for his strike partners. So far this season, Birmingham manager Chris Davies has played a 4-2-3-1 formation with Alfie May playing down the middle.
Dykes is likely to have signed for the club with the view of first team football which could see a shift in formation or May’s positioning in order to fit both players into the side. Davies could look to play May in-behind Dykes, with the new striker bullying defenders and making space for May to add to his impressive goal total of three in three games so far this season.
Dykes’ transfer is yet another big name signing this window for Birmingham who will be desperate to get back to the Championship after their relegation into the third tier last season.