Norwood: Ipswich is a Premier League Club
Monday, 10th Jun 2019 20:07 New striker James Norwood believes Town is a Premier League club and wants to help the Blues, who will play League One football for the first time in 62 years in 2019/20, to get back to the top flight.
The 28-year-old’s long-anticipated Bosman free move from Tranmere was confirmed this evening, the 32-goal frontman signing a three-year deal with the club having an option for a further season.
“Ipswich is a Premier League club and I want to help them get back to that level,” Norwood insisted when speaking to iFollow Ipswich.
“I’ve looked around the stadium and it’s unbelievable. Looking at the size of the crowds last season, the facilities. I just can’t wait for pre-season to start now.
“I had three or four Championship clubs make offers but I spoke with Paul Lambert and he told me how he saw me fitting into his team.
“It’s a massive club and I have seen how the fans get behind the team and I know what that can do for a football club. It was a no-brainer for me really.
“I’ve come here to achieve things. I have had two promotions [with Tranmere] and Ipswich have got a good chance of going up next season, and I want to be part of that.”
We understand Hull City were among the Championship clubs to show interest in Norwood, who has increased his Tranmere weekly wage - agreed in December 2016 during their time in the National League - by several times by joining the Blues.
Norwood will meet up with his new team-mates when the squad return to Playford Road for pre-season training on June 24th.
Norwood has also said his goodbyes to everyone at Tranmere after four seasons at Prenton Park.
“It has been a special journey and obviously last season was incredible. I am so happy we have achieved promotion to League One and the club can only kick on from this point," he told the Rovers official website.
“It has been a new home for me, the memories will stay with me forever. This is a massive club and the way we have won back-to-back promotions is a really special story. Tranmere Rovers will always have a special place in my heart.
“The club and the fans have stuck with me through some tough times. I have built up an amazing relationship with the Super White Army [SWA].
“It is something so special and incredible to share a personal relationship with the fans and I can’t thank them enough. I don’t think they realise how important they are, they are the driving force behind this club.
“Tranmere have a chairman [Mark Palios] doing everything he can to get the players closer to the fans every year and you can now see the results.
“We have been achieving things that Tranmere should be achieving and it is certainly a club moving in the right direction.
"A key factor for me now is that both my mum and dad are retired. I wanted to be closer to them, my family and my friends.
“I phoned the chairman and told him everything and I said I would like to come back in some capacity one day, whether it is a player, a coach or a fan.
"This is a place that will always hold a place in my heart, and I want to see the club continue to do well. I would love to one day pull on the famous white shirt again!
“There is a togetherness at Tranmere Rovers which I don’t think too many football clubs have. I will always be a Tranmere Rovers supporter now and I hope we go and get three in a row!”
“I can’t thank you all enough, from the chairman, to Nicola [Palios, co-owner and vice-chairman], to the manager [Micky Mellon], the lads and of course, the fans.”
Chairman Palios added: “James came to Prenton Park when the club was at its lowest ebb and in his four years more than fulfilled his contract, playing a major part in the club’s return to the EFL and then to League One.
“The SWA appreciated his efforts for the cause and, of course, his goals. Whilst we made every effort to keep him, we respect his decision to move on and wish him well for the future.
“From Nicola’s and my personal perspective, James symbolises the last five years of effort by all that constitutes Tranmere Rovers Football Club and we wish him success.”
Manager Mellon said: “We'd like to thank James for all of his fantastic effort. I've enjoyed working with him.
"I have loved watching his development at Tranmere Rovers over the last few years and we wish him well on his ongoing journey, except when he plays against Tranmere.
“He will always have a special place in the memories of the staff and the fans.”
Photos: ITFC
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Sporall added 20:10 - Jun 10
Quite a coup if Championship clubs were in for him. |  | |
rfretwell added 20:16 - Jun 10
Just follow Creswells success James and you'll be doing alright. |  | |
Talbs77 added 20:17 - Jun 10
Brilliant news the Tranmere fans are gutted.
Not very often the club signs a player who has scored 30+ I saw him in playoffs and thought he was excellent, aggressive and hungry for goals.
My optimism has gone up a notch although still think we need a centre half. |  | |
ShropshireBluenago09 added 20:22 - Jun 10
Great attitude. I firmly believe we have another Marcus Stewart. |  | |
Bugs added 20:25 - Jun 10
Fantastic signing for the level we will be playing at next season. He would probably would have been worth a punt at championship level, which with any luck he will prove himself in with ITFC in the 20/21 season. |  | |
ArnieM added 20:31 - Jun 10
And this ladies and gentleman is why “ The Fans” are so important to the Club as a whole. I doubt he'd have signed if we'd have still been sitting in the stands bored shyteless and silent watching Mccarthy's dour brand of football. Things happen in stages , and last season was stage one : Lambert re uniting the Fans with the Club. Stage two will be rebuilding his squad and a top 6 finish this coming season . Let's get this show on the road !
# everysaturdaywefollow |  | |
SohoBlue added 20:41 - Jun 10
I like the sound of a goal scorer... seems Lambert is happier to have the larger than life characters around which could get interesting. Judge as well... the foundations are being laid on a very tight budget, so well done to PL. sure there'll be more on the way. Desperately need a good defender or two. Or hope our young lads can get stuck in at this level... | | |
BeethorpeAndy added 20:46 - Jun 10
We have a striker!!!!!! Sears as well!!! Goals on the way. COYB | | |
ITFCsince73 added 20:53 - Jun 10
Soho blue. I wouldn't refer to a tight budget.
I'm delighted but very surprised with this signing.
It would appear the player could have earned more elsewhere, but has chosen not to, and signed for us.
Being free, he will be on top wages, possibly amongst the divisions top earners.
This signing isn't on a tight budget.
Well done to all who pulled it off. | | |
Gforce added 21:05 - Jun 10
I've heard the championship club's after him were Hull and Swansea,
no idea who the other club was though.To sign him ahead of those two
is a real coup,so well done Town,great work to all those involved.
Sign another quality striker to play alongside him and we could be in for
a hatfull of goals next season,here's hoping.
Welcome aboard James
| | |
BlueWax added 21:08 - Jun 10
Walking in a Norwood wonderland!
I can hear it already! | | |
Cakeman added 21:38 - Jun 10
A very warm welcome James. I am sure you will enjoy being a Tractor boy. |  | |
Nazemariner added 21:46 - Jun 10
Whats not to like about this signing?
Free transfer in his prime. Full of confidence. Able to lead the line.
I expect he did turn down more money elsewhere, but he'll be on big chunk more than he was on at Tranmere, and he knows he'll get straight in the team here. |  | |
BlueandTruesince82 added 21:53 - Jun 10
A good start, hope he's more Grant Holt, Rickie Lambert or Stumpy then Parkin, Jackson or Harrison.
Still like another striker and width, some wingers who are actually wingers. Still think Rowe could be one of them, certainly in L1. |  | |
Carberry added 22:18 - Jun 10
'I've looked around the stadium... and it appears to be falling apart' | | |
cat added 22:24 - Jun 10
With statements like this “James Norwood believes Town is a Premier League club“ sounds like he's fresh out the Lambo's school of charm. Let's hope along with Lambert, he delivers. |  | |
alfromcol added 22:54 - Jun 10
JUst shows that ITFC still has some pulling power. There must be a number of Championship clubs who would have loved to have signed him. Great signing PL. He looks like a really troublesome individual to opposing defences. COYB
JN saying all the right things |  | |
Gcon added 23:03 - Jun 10
Hardly surprising he wants to sign if he believes we are a premier league club.
Clearly not the sharpest tool in the box but lets not tell him the truth till he's signed on the dotted line. | | |
BurleysGloryDays added 23:05 - Jun 10
Thank god Lambert stayed! This is why it was so important. He has a pull factor, no question. Because he's a winner and a builder.
Very best of luck James Norwood, we need an animal hungry for goals every minute of every game! | | |
Dozzells_Bobblehat added 23:27 - Jun 10
Like the look and sound of this guy . Great signing . Hopefully first of several . |  | |
Saxonblue74 added 06:28 - Jun 11
Looks ambitious, exciting! ArnieM, we also got Hurst as a manager when the fans demanded change, cuts both ways!! | | |
Dissboyitfc added 07:18 - Jun 11
Just imagine this last game of the season. We play Tranmere, us needing a win for promotion and Tranmere needing a win to stay up! I wonder if he would take a last minute penalty to decide the fate of both teams?
Great to have him here, Pl's infectious enthusiasm no doubt helped him choose us. |  | |
Jesney_Havoc added 08:55 - Jun 11
No wonder he's signed if he thinks we're in the Premier League. Hope he's not too disappointed when the penny drops.. ! |  | |
IpswichT62OldBoy added 09:33 - Jun 11
I can't wait for the fixture list to come out. |  | |
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