Ajax boss speaks out on ‘exciting’ Jakov Medic move as Norwich fight off Birmingham and West Brom

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Norwich City certainly cannot be accused of failing to reinforce a backline which cost them a play-off spot in the Championship last season, Jakov Medic arriving from Ajax to join Liam Manning favourite Harry Darling at Carrow Road.

If it was the fabulous front pairing of Josh Sargent and Borja Sainz which made a play-off spot a realistic aim, it was Johannes Hoff Thorup’s underperforming backline which undid the brilliance of those at the other end of the field.

So Norwich City securing the services of two new centre-backs before the start of July while also closing in on an Angus Gunn replacement between the sticks reflects very well indeed on sporting director Ben Knapper.

Knapper reunited Liam Manning with Harry Darling earlier in the month. The Swansea City defender joins on a free transfer, to play again under his former MK Dons boss.

Now, as Norwich near Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic, another new face poses in a yellow and green shirt.

The Canaries have officially confirmed the signing of Jakov Medic from Dutch giants Ajax for a fee reportedly rising to £2.5 million.

Ajax director Alex Kroes explains Jakov Medic’s Norwich City move

Make no mistake, while Medic fell out of favour at Ajax, this is still quite the coup.

EFL Analysis have been informed that Middlesbrough, West Brom and Birmingham City liked Jakov Medic. In what feels like another major success for the aforementioned Knapper, Norwich have successfully convinced the former Croatia Under-23 international that Carrow Road is the place to be.

The chance to lead Norwich in their pursuit of Premier League football, Ajax director Alex Kroes explains, is certainly an ‘exciting’ one.

Definitely more so than a season spent gathering dust on the Johan Cryuff Arena bench.

“There was no real prospect [of playing time] for Jakov at Ajax,” Kroes tells the club’s official website.

“So it made sense for both parties to look elsewhere. At Norwich City, he faces an exciting challenge in the Championship. We have wished him all the best for the next step in his career.”

Medic and Ben Knapper speak out as Norwich transfer is confirmed

Medic will be best remembered at Ajax for a stunning long-range goal on his Eredivisie debut back in 2023. That was as good as it got, though, for a 26-year-old who spent last season on loan in the Bundesliga with VFL Bochum.

“I’m really happy to come here to sign for this club,” Medic beams after signing an initial three-year deal with Norwich. “An historic club, a club I know that are really good and I’m really happy to be here.

“From the first moment that they contacted me and my agent, we spoke and I was really happy that they wanted me and they’ve followed me for a long time. For me, it’s a really good step. I’ve always had a wish to play here in England, so I didn’t think so much about this decision to become a player at Norwich.”

Unsurprisingly, given that both players arrive from Ajax and Swansea respectively, Medic and Manning are two central defenders renowned for their modern, ball-playing style.

Though their first task will be to reinforce a backline breached 68 times in the Championship under Thorup.

“We were clear on what we needed to add defensively in order to improve this coming season, and Jakov is a key part of that,” Knapper explains. “He’s a great age and comes with a significant amount of experience during his time playing in both Germany and the Netherlands, in some big games.

“His profile is well-suited to the Championship and our style of play, and he is someone who has the right attributes and mentality to be a real success here.

“He will further complement and add to our defensive options, and we’re excited to see what he can achieve with us.”