Jonathan Panzo linked with OH Leuven move after leaving Birmingham

Jonathan Panzo, the England and Ivory Coast defender currently without a club, is being linked with a move to Belgian side OH Leuven.

The 25-year-old centre-back is reportedly attracting interest from the Jupiler Pro League club after becoming unattached at the start of July. Panzo left Birmingham on 1 July 2026, having joined the Championship side from Portuguese club Rio Ave earlier in the year.

No transfer has been confirmed, and the reported move remains at the rumour stage.

Panzo has made 42 Championship appearances during his career, scoring once and providing one assist. He has also played in Portugal’s top flight, France’s Ligue 1 and Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League, where he made 22 appearances and registered one assist.

The London-born defender stands 1.88m tall and prefers his left foot. He began his senior career after coming through Chelsea’s academy before moving to France, with Monaco B, Cercle Brugge and Dijon among his former clubs. He later joined Nottingham Forest and spent time on loan at Coventry, Cardiff, Standard Liege and Rio Ave.

Panzo’s previous Belgian experience came during the 2023-24 season, when he played for Standard Liege on loan from Nottingham Forest. His career honours include winning the Under-17 World Cup with England in 2017.

Panzo remains without a club, while OH Leuven are the side currently linked with signing him.