With four goals and three assists in his opening seven Birmingham City appearances, it's clear to see why Chris Davies was delighted to finally sign Liam Millar at the end of the summer transfer window.
The Canada international joined the Blues on a season-long loan deal from Hull City just three days after he scored the winning goal for the Tigers in their 1-0 victory over Coventry City in the Premier League.
Davies has been a huge admirer of Millar ever since he took the reins at St Andrew's and revealed there had been several failed attempts to lure the 26-year-old to the second city until he was finally able to capture his man on deadline day.
Millar has certainly rewarded the faith shown by his new boss with a sparkling start to life at Birmingham.
Making his debut in the local derby against Wolves, Millar had a goal controversially disallowed in the defeat to Norwich City but still registered an assist in the contest, and he was the provider of both goals in Birmingham's 2-1 win over Derby County.
The former Liverpool academy graduate then opened his goal account in the 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough before finding the back of the net against Preston and scoring a brace against QPR.
"I just feel like I've been given the freedom to express myself and to be myself," said Millar. "You know, I feel like I've not really had that anywhere else in my career where I can really be myself and be me.
"I'm really happy with how I've started life, and I just want to keep going and keep expressing myself, and helping the team as much as I possibly can, and hopefully do what we all know we can do this season."
The winger's form coincides with a strong run by Birmingham, who have showcased their promotion credentials by losing just one of their opening 11 matches to sit two points outside the top two.
It spoke volumes of Birmingham's depth in wide areas that Millar's replacement in the encounter with QPR, Demarai Gray, netted the Blues' third and final goal to seal an emphatic victory.
Millar is set to be a crucial component in Birmingham's promotion aims, and any fears that he may return to Hull during the campaign have been quelled with Hull Live revealing that the Tigers do not possess a recall clause in January.
It means Millar will remain with Birmingham for the duration of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Canadian is out of contract next summer, although Hull possess a club option to extend his deal by a further 12 months. However, it's understood Birmingham are keen to explore a permanent deal for Millar in the future.
Birmingham boss Davies was extremely complimentary of his silky winger, saying: "He’s been super. He’s got energy, he’s got intelligence, but he’s got quality. When you get a chance, if you can be clinical with it, you’re a really good winger.
“With players, it is hard to predict how they do whether on loan or if you sign them. Do they fit? Do they settle in? He looks like he’s made for this place. We love having him here; he seems to love being here, and that’s a good combination.”
