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.

Photo: Matchday Images

Fatboy added 12:14 - Jul 23 My only problem with this story is the bit that says he was keen to stay. Clearly he wasn't as otherwise he would have taken what was on offer and worked his socks off to get into the first team, at which point he would have been offered an improved contract.
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algarvefan added 12:18 - Jul 23 You have to face facts that some kids make it and some don't as a fully developed adult. Gibbs was a talented young player, he may or may not go on to have a star career, he's gone now so move on. Football is a team game, we need to ensure that the first team is a priority but he certainly wasn't ready for that I trust Klugs assessment of that. Next!
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Marinersnose added 12:21 - Jul 23 The main issue here is surely the fact that very few academy players at the club are given first team opportunities. We have historically been a club with a fantastic academy who has developed some real talent.Judging by the youngsters performances last season they have a decent crop of players who beat PL clubs and lost narrowly to Liverpool in the cup semi finals. Pathway is key and this appears to be missing. Dobra has probably forced his way in not just because he's a talent but because those ahead of him were clueless. If you're good enough you're old enough. Ndaba looks very good at youth level but he hasn't had a look in. This has to change.

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JamestownPrince added 12:24 - Jul 23 We know one thing about the compensation... It will be a "Six finger sum"
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JamestownPrince added 12:25 - Jul 23 We know one thing about the compensation... It will be a "Six finger sum"
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timmy2guns added 12:28 - Jul 23 The comments about Ben Knight on this post are ridiculous! He signed for City in 2018 and is still there, so arguably doing something right. This article was written yesterday which suggests he is progressing as a footballer (otherwise would've surely been let go) - https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-tr Those who mention the Cat 1 vs Cat 2 comparisons are spot on. Its not just about the club name, its the quality these young players will get around them (coaches, players, experience) etc. Surely if there is talent that someone thinks can be developed, then support it. We all want to see young english players coming through!

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NorthLondonBlue2 added 12:45 - Jul 23 I think that this is appalling. It's one thing to clear out the dead wood, however dear they were to the fans in the name of the great rebuild, it's quite another to sit back and let talent that we have nurtured for a decade swan off up the road for a pittance. This is a very bad mis-step by the club. Whether it's the right move for Gibbs himself, who knows? I expect he will get a robust reception if he ever dares return to Portman Road.

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LancsBlue added 12:55 - Jul 23 For itfctim https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-tr
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Woodbridgeblue1980 added 12:57 - Jul 23 I'm absolutely gutted about this. It's not sustainable to just focus (and spend a lot of money) solely on a first team. Our brightest prospect that probably could have learned a lot being in and around the first team, gone for peanuts. It's even more frustrating that we left it so late in the day to return to him and get a deal done before he left, and that we were apparently so close. This is complete mis management and those that are saying they don't care are doing so because they don't want to admit the budgies have effectively taken a potentially very good and valuable player off us. Why didn't we offer him that little bit more? Cook is worrying me with his one dimensional way of dealing with our situation.

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Chondzoresk added 13:27 - Jul 23 One of two ends to this story. He will either do well and be sold on with us taking a decent percentage or….in two seasons time be loaned out to Kings Lynn or equivalent.
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blueboy1981 added 13:33 - Jul 23 So many ways of looking at this - a crucial point in his career, and we have to admit with an offer from Norwich who are streets above us currently - it is a no brainer for him. Plus the fact over recent years our Academy and Youngsters seem to get so far and tale of before reaching the First Team. The question has to be asked WHY ? - is it the difference between Cat' 1 and Cat' 2 ? - or is it something else ? Whatever, it is not working for us as it once was ... !!! Surely it needs looking into with this lad having been at the Club for so long, and the Club having invested so much for so long in him. This one could seriously become another embarrassment scenario - one of the two Clubs are able to spot serious potential - the other, obviously not. Only time will tell, which is which .... !!!

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SouperJim added 13:41 - Jul 23 Most seem to be ignoring one simple fact - as per the article, we weren't far apart on terms, but decided to stick with what we offered. We could have retained him if we wanted to, but £500k or so is obviously worth more to us than Gibbs based on his demands. It was our decision to let him go. I couldn't give a flying one who he plays for if it's not ITFC. Onwards and upwards, money in the bank for PC's promotion push.

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runaround added 13:42 - Jul 23 Shame he has left and a shame he has gone there. So much other stuff to be positive about though
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blueboy1981 added 13:54 - Jul 23 One thing is certain - evidence is all there that Norwich would not have been interested in Gibbs if serious potential wasn't there. That's a certainty. Personally, I think there's also collective evidence over many seasons to prove that Norwich have a very efficient Scouting system in what they've brought into the Club, for little money in comparison to many. This move again proves my point - we need to step up to the plate likewise - there was a time when they couldn't match us on anything ... !! Let's hope the current ‘revolution' will return such, but at the moment, reality is we are light years behind. Sorry people, but this is FACT !!

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Oldozblue added 14:10 - Jul 23 If ITFC got half or a third of a million at this point in time it is not a bad deal - maybe more funds for fair play and transfers to get out of League One. So he might contribute more to getting out of League One this way than being a squad player. Part of the ITFC business model for this set of circumstances. Gibbs is the third player Norwich have spent thousands on for their academy in this window the others came from Peteboro and Southend - it is part of their self funding their business model to sell their in demand players. Just a casual glance shows less than one in three work out - and a lot end up on loan to lower Division, Belgian, Dutch and German Clubs . If Gibbs makes it ITFC will probably get a percentage - Maddison, Godfrey and Buendia are examples and the clubs they were bought from all pocketed millions (Godfrey sell-ons saved York City!. So ITFC might actually get more this way. Always look on the bright side

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MickMillsTash added 14:33 - Jul 23 Last year Bishop, Dozzell, Wolfenden, Kenlock, Drinan, Mcgavin, Dobra, Gibbs probably more that I have tried to delete from memory started games for Town - all from the youth team. The issue seems to be these playing kicking-on. That could be down to the utter shambles of a first team we have had as much as the quality of the player. Both need fixing Starting the season with 11 first team players seems to be a growing priority

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blueconscience added 14:54 - Jul 23 Never to be seen again
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ihatecanaries added 15:33 - Jul 23 Money grabbing Judas, I for one do not wish him well, any other club I would wish the lad all the luck in the world but to join the SCUM!!!! hope he just disappears into obscurity
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dirtydingusmagee added 15:37 - Jul 23 all this fuss, bet hardly anyone had heard of him till now, let alone play. He's gone, good luck to him, move on .
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dyersdream added 15:48 - Jul 23 I don't think there's a youngster who has left us last few years and been successful??
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istanblue added 15:58 - Jul 23 Traitor. Hope he suffers a career-ending injury in his first training session.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 16:32 - Jul 23 I wish him everything other than success
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happybeingblue added 17:40 - Jul 23 the boys who stood out in the cup run.... elkan baggott ,edwin agbaje ,cameron stewart , albie armin ,cameron humphreys to name a few some real quality in these lads ,lets concentrate on players who want to play for ITFC now.
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ImAbeliever added 18:28 - Jul 23 Istanblue. That is a despicable comment.
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blueboy1981 added 18:32 - Jul 23 At least Gibbs is going to a Premiership Club - that's more than most of our so called ‘superstar players' (or thought they were) are finding themselves, after being told they can leave !! Reality check time for such players - and a few Supporters too - may I suggest ... !! Been strutting their stuff long enough - but failed miserably to deliver. Just desserts one could say.

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