Norwich City have announced two shrewd pieces of business this afternoon.
First off, they have confirmed the signing of 20-year-old former Arsenal defensive midfielder, Charlie Gilmour.
Welcome to #ncfc, Charlie Gilmour! 👊
The Scotland youth international joins City on a free transfer.https://t.co/JxzxVBb2I0
— Norwich City Academy (@NorwichCityAcad) July 8, 2019
This is a story that first surfaced a couple of weeks ago but then went quiet. The Canaries have now confirmed though that Gilmour has signed a two-year contract with the club holding the option of a third year.
He will initially be part of the U23 development squad but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he makes the breakthrough to the first team squad at some point this season.
Young Charlie has been at Arsenal since he was six as a part of the Gunners’ academy but was released at the end of the season, bringing his 14-year association with the North London club to an end.
Gilmour looks to be another very strong addition to the U23 squad, so welcome to Norwich, Charlie.
In other news, Emiliano Buendía has signed a new five-year contract extension, keeping him tied to the Canaries until 2024.
.@Em10Buendia has signed a new five-year deal at #ncfc! 🙌
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) July 8, 2019
This is truly excellent news.
5️⃣ more years of football heaven… 😇 #ncfc pic.twitter.com/2XG9QJ98aC
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) July 8, 2019
The 22-year-old former Real Madrid trainee had a sensational debut season for City, scoring 8 goals and providing 18 assists in all competitions.
He has become a huge fan favourite and has all the skills to pay the bills in his locker and you just know he’s going to light the Premier League up with his talent.
Who can forget his first goal for Norwich at home against Brentford, a terrific volley with the ball dropping out of the sky over his shoulder and then there was the barnstormer against Swansea and not forgetting that incredible goal against Hull, which the above flick is from.
I seriously doubt that Emi will still be here in five years time but as with the rest of the contract extensions signed this summer, it’s all about safeguarding the value of the players, while also rewarding them for gaining promotion.
Great, great news!
OTBC