Norwich City’s Biggest Transfer Flops
With multiple spells in the Premier League over the past 30 years, Norwich City is a familiar name in English football. Like any club, they have enjoyed transfer success but have also suffered their fair share of disappointments with signings who failed to live up to expectations.
Here’s a look at some of Norwich’s worst signings over the years.
Ricky van Wolfswinkel
Signed in the summer of 2013 after Norwich finished 11th in the Premier League, Ricky van Wolfswinkel arrived with high hopes. The Dutch striker was brought in from Sporting Clube de Portugal for £8.5 million, per BBC Sport, following a prolific 25-goal season in Lisbon.
However, Van Wolfswinkel struggled to adapt, managing just one league goal in 25 appearances as Norwich were relegated to the Championship in 2014. After making just one further appearance—a League Cup tie in 2015—he was sent on loan to Saint-Étienne and Real Betis before leaving permanently in 2016.
Since his Norwich exit, he has found success at clubs like Vitesse, Basel, and FC Twente, but his struggles in England suggest he was never quite suited to Premier League football.
Milot Rashica
In the summer of 2021, Norwich secured the signing of Milot Rashica from Werder Bremen for £9.4 million, according to Sky Sports. Back in the Premier League, Daniel Farke was hoping Rashica would help solidify their top-flight status.
However, the Kosovan attacker failed to make an impact, making 35 league appearances across one full season and the start of the 2022-23 Championship campaign before being loaned to Galatasaray. A year later, he joined Besiktas permanently for £4.5 million, meaning Norwich took a financial hit on the transfer.
Luciano Becchio
Luciano Becchio’s arrival in January 2013 was met with excitement, as Norwich hoped the prolific Leeds United forward—who had netted 46 goals in 108 Championship appearances—could help keep them in the Premier League.
However, he barely featured, starting just twice in the top flight and making a total of 13 league appearances before being loaned to Rotherham United. His career never reached the same heights after leaving Leeds.
Christos Tzolis
Norwich paid £8.8 million for Greek forward Christos Tzolis, per BBC Sport, but he never established himself at Carrow Road. Across two seasons, he made just six starts and 27 league appearances before departing permanently after three years.
Loan spells at FC Twente and Fortuna Düsseldorf followed, with Tzolis impressing in Germany by scoring 22 goals in 30 2. Bundesliga games. Düsseldorf exercised their €3.5 million buy option, only to quickly flip him to Club Brugge for €6 million—turning a profit Norwich never managed to achieve.
Steven Naismith
Signed from Everton for £8.5 million in January 2016 (BBC Sport), Steven Naismith was expected to bring experience and quality to Norwich’s relegation fight. However, he contributed just one goal and one assist in 13 appearances as the Canaries finished 19th and went down.
The Scottish forward remained at the club for a few seasons, scoring six times in 44 league appearances before moving to Hearts in 2018, where he finished his career.
These signings stand out as some of Norwich City’s biggest transfer disappointments—reminders that even well-intended deals can go wrong.
