Norwich City Emerged as Winners in Ben Godfrey’s £25m Move to Everton
Norwich City ultimately benefited the most from the £25m transfer that saw Ben Godfrey leave Carrow Road for Everton in 2020.
Godfrey initially joined the Canaries as a youngster from York City and played a key role in their Championship-winning campaign in 2018/19. However, following their subsequent relegation from the Premier League, Norwich accepted a club-record fee for the defender as he moved to Goodison Park. While losing such a talented young player seemed disappointing at the time, hindsight suggests it was a smart business move for Norwich.
Norwich’s £150k Investment Paid Off
Norwich secured Godfrey’s signature from York City for just £150,000 in January 2016 when he turned 18. After spending time in the development squad, he truly broke into the first team during the 2018/19 season.
Initially a squad player, Godfrey was given his first full 90-minute opportunity against Bolton Wanderers in December. From then on, he was ever-present, playing every remaining minute of the season as Norwich clinched the Championship title and secured Premier League promotion.
Everton Took Advantage of Norwich’s Relegation
Godfrey remained a key figure in Norwich’s defence during their Premier League campaign, even captaining the side on occasion. However, the team ultimately failed to avoid relegation.
At just 22 years old, Godfrey had proven he could compete at the top level, making him a sought-after asset. With Norwich needing to stabilize their finances, Everton seized the opportunity, submitting a £25m bid that was too good to refuse. Though it was disappointing to part ways with such a promising player, the deal provided an outstanding return on Norwich’s initial investment.
Career Path Highlights Norwich’s Smart Business
Godfrey enjoyed a solid first season with Everton, making 28 starts as the team finished mid-table. However, his playing time gradually declined due to a mix of injuries and selection decisions.
In 2024, Everton offloaded Godfrey to Atalanta for just £10m—less than half of what Norwich had originally received. He struggled for minutes in Serie A and was soon loaned out to Ipswich Town, who were battling relegation in the Premier League.
Now approaching his 27th birthday, Godfrey still has time to revive his career, but his trajectory so far suggests Norwich got the best outcome from his £25m transfer. They enjoyed his best performances in a title-winning season and made a record-breaking profit—making them the true winners of the deal.
