Oliver Burke springs surprise after Birmingham City exit and transfer admission

Not many people expected Oliver Burke to be playing in the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen this season - even the man himself had more than a few doubts.

Burke was expected to secure a transfer away from Germany after his failed loan spell at Birmingham City in the Championship last term. The Scot's spell at St Andrew's did little to enhance his reputation in England.

He failed to score or register an assist in 23 matches for Blues and was infamously booed by his own supporters during the 0-0 draw with Rotherham United in April. Burke wasn't seen again in Royal Blue.

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The 27-year-old wasn't welcomed back into the fold at Bremen and trained away from the first team at the beginning of pre-season. "I sat there and watched,” said Burke. “That was a tough moment, but things change quickly in football."

Once it became apparent that Burke wasn't going to seal a move elsewhere, he was reintegrated by head coach Ole Werner and Bremen have been rewarded. Burke scored on his fifth appearance off the bench in the Bundesliga to give Bremen a last-gasp 2-1 win over Holstein Kiel last weekend.

“Obviously not everyone expected that I would still be playing here this season,” Burke told reporters in the mixed zone after scoring his winning goal. “But here I am, and I am very happy that I am here.”

Bremen are currently eighth in the Bundesliga table after four wins from their opening 10 matches. Burke has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Weserstadion.