Borja Sainz explains why he left Norwich City for FC Porto, Pape Diallo now has big boots to fill

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Norwich City lost their top goalscorer from last season to Portuguese giants Porto this summer, and now Borja Sainz has revealed why it was the right time to leave the Canaries.

Norwich City have made a statement of intent within the transfer window ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

Summer appointment Liam Manning has been treated to a litany of recruits this summer, with the most expensive arrival coming with Mathias Kvistgaarden’s £6.9m Norwich move.

Unfortunately for Manning, he was always destined to be without Borja Sainz beyond the window, after his move to Porto came earlier this month.

Now, the Spaniard has revealed why he believes it was the right time to exit Carrow Road, despite the growing anticipation for a positive season for the Canaries.

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Borja Sainz comments on Norwich City exit for FC Porto

Sainz left Norwich for Porto earlier this summer in a £14.2m move to call time on his two-season stint with the Canaries.

After the move was confirmed, Norwich fans reacted to Sainz’s transfer in agreement that the sizeable fee was a suitable antidote to losing the left-winger’s services.

Sainz scored 16 goals in his first 20 games last season, including two hat-tricks, but was banned for five games after disgustingly spitting at then-Sunderland loanee Chris Mepham.

Following his return, Sainz failed to rediscover his goalscoring form, which saw him miss out on the Championship Golden Boot, after ending the 2024/25 campaign on 18 league goals and four assists.

Now, Sainz has lifted the lid on why this summer was the right time to depart Carrow Road. He told Porto’s website: “It was a conscious decision I made. FC Porto believed in me, and I’m very happy to be here.

“I’m adapting well, both myself and all my teammates. I’m looking forward to wearing this jersey, but before that, we need to work. We’re doing it well, and that’s the way forward.

“Integrating has been easy, all my teammates are helping me a lot, and I can only thank them. The first few days are always the hardest, and they’re doing everything they can to make the new players feel comfortable.

“There are some differences (from the Championship to the Portuguese top flight), but I’m very happy with my new teammates and the entire coaching staff.”

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Papa Diallo has big boots to fill at Norwich City after Borja Sainz exit

Norwich have shelled out a significant outlay this summer in the market, of around £17.5m, by adding several quality additions in key positions.

However, the only left-winger recruited by the Canaries this summer is the promising yet unproven Senegalese starlet Pape Amadou Diallo.

Norwich signed Diallo last week, despite the youngster being in advanced talks with Watford earlier this summer.

After the 0-0 pre-season draw against ADO Den Haag, Manning told the Pink Un on Diallo: “In terms of his ball-carrying, his movement off the ball, he’s someone who has really exciting potential.

“The challenge for us will be to integrate him, to help him settle, and turn that potential into some really high-level, consistent performances.

“He gives a slightly different dimension to our attack and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Manning is excited by Diallo’s Norwich arrival, but the 21-year-old winger will have massive boots to fill if he hopes to live up to the goalscoring mantle left by Sainz’s switch to Porto.