The loan moves of Norwich City duo Danel Sinani and Melvin Sitti have been confirmed.

Reports emerged in Belgium last week that Juliper League side Waasland-Beveren were close to sealing the loan signings of French midfielder Sitti and Luxembourg international forward Sinani.

Both players started for City’s under-23s in a 3-0 win over Reading at Colney in Premier League Two last week, with Sinani scoring the second goal.

Although both were signed earlier in the year, the duo weren’t able to join up with the Canaries until July, but with Daniel Farke currently having a big squad to maintain and with both seen as players still developing, it’s been decided they are better going out on loan for the time being.

Their exit follows on from the confirmation of another summer arrival, left-back Sam McCallum, returning to former club Coventry City on loan.

Both head out on season-long loans, although as loans are window-to-window transfers Norwich are able to recall either player in January if they require.

Sinani was signed on a free transfer from Luxembourg club Dudelange, signing a contract until 2023, and featured regularly during pre-season.

The 23-year-old has mostly played as a wide forward so far during his career but after a good goal-scoring record it’s believed City see the potential to convert Sinani into a striker.

Sitti was signed from French second tier side Sochaux in January, signing a deal until 2024, but remained with his former club on loan and made 17 appearances in total last season.

The 20-year-old defensive midfielder spent much of pre-season with the U23s but made his senior debut during a 3-1 defeat at Luton Town in the League Cup first round, when the Canaries were missing a host of players due to international action, coming on in the 86th minute.

Beveren are currently playing in their ninth consecutive season in the top flight, after narrowly avoiding relegation last season - with the league expanded to 18 teams rather than relegation being confirmed when the season was cancelled in April due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

They have only won one of their opening six games though to sit second from bottom, losing 4-2 at home to Anderlecht on Saturday.

Their next game is at Beerschott on Saturday, with Beveren confirming they have given Sinani the shirt number 10 and Sitti number 28, with both set to start training with their new team-mates from today after completing their Covid-19 quarantine periods after travelling from the UK.


If he had remained with the Canaries, Sitti would have had Oliver Skipp, Jacob Sorensen, Alex Tettey, Kenny McLean and Lukas Rupp ahead of him in the central midfield pecking order, even with Tom Trybull and Mo Leitner looking for a new club.

While Sinani would have Teemu Pukki, Jordan Hugill and Adam Idah to contend with in the striker ranks, with Farke often only playing a lone front man.

While in the wide areas, he would have to get ahead of Onel Hernandez, Todd Cantwell, Emi Buendia, Przemek Placheta and Kieran Dowell, with other midfielders capable of playing wide and academy prospect Josh Martin also in the mix.

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The duo join City defender Rocky Bushiri in the Belgian top flight, who is playing for Mechelen, and take the total loan stable to 17 players - with some younger academy players also at lower levels of non-league.