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Norwich City star makes first-team jump with new Canaries contract
Young Norwich City striker Adam Idah has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal - alongside his promotion to the Canaries' first-team squad ahead of their Premier League return. Picture: Norwich City FC - Credit: Archant
Highly-rated youth striker Adam Idah has signed a new long-term deal with Norwich City – and been promoted to Norwich City’s Premier League squad in the process.
Highly rated striker Adam Idah has signed a new long-term deal with Norwich City - and been promoted to the club's first-team squad. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
The 18-year-old Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has committed to a new four-year contract, set to keep him at the Canaries until the summer of 2023.
Idah has also been given the squad number 35 for next season, completing his transition from City's Under-18 and Under-23 set-up into the first-team squad ahead of City's top-flight return for the 2019-2020 campaign.
"I'm delighted to sign a new deal here," said Idah, who joined City's academy two years ago. "The moment they offered me a new contract, I knew straight away that I wanted to sign it.
"I've loved every minute here so I'm delighted. My form last season was great and I've worked very hard to get myself to where I am now.
Norwich City U23 winger Simon Power takes on his opposite number against Borussia Dortmund in pre-season last year. Next season he will spend on loan at Ross County. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
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"I'm delighted to be in the position I am now. Last year helped me a lot to get me to this position. There are lots of people who have helped me. The staff have been great to me and even through the tougher times, they've helped me through it."
Much like young full-back Max Aarons last summer - and Jamal Lewis a year earlier - Idah has made the step up to first-team training on City's return for pre-season, and it has already made an impact on the young forward.
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That is off the back of performing at the prestigious Toulon Tournament this summer, notching two goals as the Republic of Ireland Under-21s made it through to the semi-finals.
"It's been tough, I won't lie," added Idah of his pre-season reintroduction. "But I think I'm slowly getting used to things now as it's already been three days. Wednesday was my first day on the pitch and it was tough but I've been enjoying it.
"After Toulon, I got given the news that I would be training with the first-team. I was told it would be for the first few days but the other day, I was told it would be permanently.
"I've definitely had to pinch myself at points. A week ago, when I was at home and packing my bags to come here, it didn't seem real.
"Coming into the changing room a couple of days ago was surreal, but I'm very happy to be back now."
Premier League rules mean City's 25-man squad may contain no more than 17 non-homegrown players, although there is no limit of the number of under-21 players the Canaries can name in their squad.
Idah will clearly be considered an under-21 player for next season, after which he will have completed his third year registered with a Football Association-affiliated club - and therefore also be deemed a homegrown player under Premier League and EFL rules.
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