Former Blues midfielder Liam Gibbs’s move to Norwich City has been confirmed, the clubs having agreed undisclosed compensation for the 18-year-old.
TWTD reported last week that Gibbs, who joined Town aged eight, was set to join the Canaries subject to the clubs coming to an accord regarding compensation for his years in the academy, which is understood to be somewhere in the mid-hundred thousands.
The Bury St Edmunds-born youngster, who will initially be part of the Norfolk club’s development squad, has signed a deal which runs to the summer of 2025.
"I am very, very excited. I am looking forward to starting my journey as soon as possible,” Gibbs told the official Norwich site.
"It is a new step for me and for my career. I am looking to make the most of it, showcase my talent and hopefully I can help the club keep moving forward.
"I have seen young players in the past that have gone through the academy and into the first team.
"Norwich have a reputation for bringing through young players and I just want to be the next one to get into the first team and make things happen.
"I can see a clear pathway for me. Now I am just excited to get started, fulfil my potential and show everyone what I can do.”
Reflecting on crossing the Suffolk/Norfolk divide, he added: "I have got to do what’s best for my career at the end of the day and I felt like this was the club that I needed to come to.
"It is not ideal being the rival club, but I am happy with my decision, and I am sure it will be beneficial for me and my career.
"I just wanted to get started now. I have been here waiting for it to happen and now I am ready to go in, get started, meet the team and play some football.”
As reported earlier this month, last-gasp talks between Town and Gibbs broke down on June 30th, the final day of his existing Blues deal, the club having offered a new contract late last year.
TWTD revealed in January that Gibbs was yet to sign the new terms offered by Town with his contract up this summer and no one-year option included in his previous deal.
While the midfielder, who made his League One debut in the home game against Charlton last season, was keen to stay at Portman Road, he was unwilling to commit to the deal as it stood, although we understand the two parties weren’t too far apart.
Norwich had long been keeping an eye on the youngster’s situation and were the long-time frontrunners for his signature, while Leeds, Brighton, Rangers and Southampton were among the other clubs to have previously shown interest.
As the end of his contract drew closer, the club made no new overtures as other interested sides monitored the situation prior to the deadline-day talks.
In addition to his one League One appearance for the Blues, Gibbs, who was one of the stars of Town’s U18s’ FA Youth Cup run last season, also made two EFL Trophy starts and one sub appearance.