Wes Hoolahan will leave Norwich City at the end of the season
The Championship club announced Hoolahan’s departure on Monday morning, and revealed that they will give the club legend a special send-off during their final home game of the season on Saturday against Leeds United.
Hoolahan joined Norwich in 2008 from Blackpool and has made 350 appearances for the Canaries, scoring 53 goals. The Dubliner helped the team earn promotion from League One to the Premier League and played four campaigns in the top-flight.
Hoolahan announced his retirement from international football earlier this year and will turn 36 next month. He walks away from Carrow Road with no regrets.
“It’s been a great ten years. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself at this club and it’s going to be an emotional day on Saturday against Leeds,” Hoolahan said in an open letter to fans on Norwich’s website.
“I spoke to my family last week and it will be great to have them over. I just want then to enjoy it because they can’t wait. My ten years have been brilliant, with a lot of ups and downs. To get promoted three times and to have played in the Premier League for four years means that Saturday is going to be an amazing day for everybody involved.
🎥 Wessi > Messi 👑#ThanksWes #ncfc pic.twitter.com/5zQuwEMjZ5
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) April 23, 2018
“It will be strange to leave this club after ten great years but you have to move on. The fans have been amazing to me, the club have been great and I’m going to miss the place. I just want to say to the fans ‘thanks for the support’, because they’ve been amazing.
“Even through the downs, they’ve always turned out. In my first year here we were relegated but then you’d walk out into a League One game in front of 26,000 fans. It’s one of the best clubs in the country and the support is always brilliant.”
🎥 Even the best things come to an end 😢
Wes has a message for the fans…#ThanksWes #ncfc pic.twitter.com/55g8vgVEjy
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) April 23, 2018
The reaction from Norwich fans to Hoolahan’s departure conveys how valued he was and how much he will be missed.
Ah man, what a player Wes has been. Given me more pleasure than any other footballer, and he’s a lovely guy. It’s been a thrill to watch him for the last 10 years. Saturday is going to be well emosh. #ThanksWes
— Daniel Brigham (@dan_brigham) April 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/_cxmdoran_/status/988383693873074177
Not his best goal for @NorwichCityFC, but probably my favourite. Summed him up as a player. Touch. Skill. Composure. Made one defender pay to come back into the ground. Put another on his arse. Then cool as you like past the keeper. Pleasure to watch. #ThanksWes pic.twitter.com/nefJSfW7HH
— Klobo (@Klobo15) April 23, 2018
Sad that the time has come for Wes Hoolahan to move on but now seems like the right time. Thanks for all you've done for the club #ThanksWes #ncfc
— Matt Howes (@matthowes9) April 23, 2018
The best I have ever seen in yellow and green. He made want to play football, and I enjoyed every second of him playing for #NCFC. Legend is an overused word in football, but for Wes Hoolahan, it doesn’t describe his impact enough. What a footballer. #ThanksWes https://t.co/jNP2VU6iFM
— Connor Southwell (@cjsouthwell1902) April 23, 2018
Wow Wes going after 10 years. Absolutely gutted but I guess it wasn’t unexpected. Best of luck for the future Wes. Thank you for everything 👏🏻 Forever a Norwich legend💛💚 #ncfc #ThanksWes
— Ellie✨ (@littleell_) April 23, 2018
Me when Wes walks of the pitch on Saturday… #ThanksWes #ncfc pic.twitter.com/G0mU4iuTdf
— The Norfolk Sonic 💛💚 (@Ginger_Canary) April 23, 2018
Even though we all knew it was coming it doesn’t make it any easier 😢💔 #ThanksWes #wessi #ncfc https://t.co/de5i7sZCTt
— Christine Dye (@Christine_Dye_) April 23, 2018
Gutted I won’t be at Carrow Road on Saturday to say goodbye to Wes. Best player I have seen play for Norwich over such a long period of time. #ThanksWes
— Elliott George (@ElliottGeorge10) April 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Tomcash190/status/988383703641608192
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