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

grinch added 18:55 - Jul 23 No matter what you think Nateich do bring young players through so all this tosh that he ain't good enough is sour grapes. He's a young lad who has got talent and he has gone to a club that he believes will nature that talent and give him an opportunity in the Premier league not Div 1 so if you have ambition he has done the correct thing we should just wish the lad well and hope a Suffolk boy can come good which has not happened for a while

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grinch added 19:00 - Jul 23 Also I am more worried about our own situation matches start in 2 weeks and we are still woefully shirt of having a team that will not leak goals the talk of getting in players has been short changed in my opinion we have a very small squad and unless theyvallvstay fit we will be in trouble and finishing lower than lady year so I am still not in this everythingvis great area

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runningout added 19:32 - Jul 23 Don't panic. Some of you really need to take a long hard look at yourselves. It's only narrig
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Dissboyitfc added 19:38 - Jul 23 Very short sighted of the kid, we will be swapping places with them shortly! And very poor that he hasnt said or shown any gratitude for the ten years we have given him, still we do have some quality youngsters like Baggot who show loyalty and appreciation!
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shakytown added 23:56 - Jul 23 Who cares - Good riddance
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dirtydingusmagee added 07:46 - Jul 24 Istanblue, you should be banned from this site for that comment imo, Bloody disgaceful .
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Upthetown1970 added 09:30 - Jul 24 Dirty. Totally agree that's a disgusting comment.
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Linkboy13 added 10:12 - Jul 24 Yesdirtydingusmagee and Upthetown1970 unfortunately we've got morons like that on this site who can't give an opinion without being abusive.
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shakytown added 13:54 - Jul 24 'm now totally indifferent to what his future holds but to want him injured badly is going to far.
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chocco added 19:51 - Jul 25 good luck to the lad clearly not going to get a chance under cook who has no desire to play the youngsters
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