Christoph Zimmermann has penned a heartfelt open letter to Norwich City fans, calling for responsible and caring behaviour as football’s suspension continues during the coronavirus outbreak.

The popular German defender wanted to send a message to Canaries supporters after three weeks without a match and with English football being suspended until April 30 at the earliest.

“As you can’t see any football at the moment, not at Carrow Road and not on the TV, on behalf of the players and staff at the football club, we would still like to tell you that we’re thinking of you right now,” writes Zimmermann.

“We will try to be there for you off the pitch and, hopefully, very soon on the pitch again too.

“Until then we want you to know that all of the players and the football club as a whole are very thankful for your loyalty and unconditional support.”

With government guidelines imposing isolation among the most vulnerable and social restrictions in place to combat the Covid-19 pandemic which has claimed over 1,000 lives in England this month, sport has ground to a halt.

Zimmermann followed head coach Daniel Farke to Norfolk on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund II in 2017, making 108 appearances so far, and has urged fans to look out for each other. You can read Zimmermann’s open letter in full below...

Dear Norwich City supporters,

We here at Norwich City Football Club would like to reach out to our loyal season ticket holders and supporters, who have been with us over years and decades, highs and lows, promotions and relegations.

At the moment we are confronted with a situation none of us has ever witnessed before. Some people even call it the biggest challenge since World War Two and claim that we’re at war against an invisible opponent. Some of us might not be affected as directly as others, but we all face drastic changes to our everyday life right now.

The younger generation may not be as affected by Covid-19, but we have to be aware of our responsibility towards the rest of society, especially those who are in the so-called high-risk groups.

On the one hand the virus may be more dangerous for elderly people or those with pre-conditions, but on the other many people in the older age groups could also suffer from loneliness at this time. Some people might be by themselves and with social life being strictly limited and sporting events cancelled, these can be really difficult times for a number of reasons.

As you can’t see any football at the moment, not at Carrow Road and not on the TV, on behalf of the players and staff at the football club, we would still like to tell you that we’re thinking of you right now. We will try to be there for you off the pitch and, hopefully, very soon on the pitch again too.

Until then we want you to know that all of the players and the football club as a whole are very thankful for your loyalty and unconditional support.

If you have any problems and would like to get in touch, please do not hesitate to do so through the club’s various communication channels. Together, we will try to help as best as we can.

ON THE BALL CITY!

Christoph.

- City director Tom Smith also sent a message to supporters this weekend, which can be viewed in the video above

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