After weeks of negotiations, Norwich finally completed the signing of Hull’s Robbie Brady for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £7 million. The Republic of Ireland international penned a three-year deal with the Canaries and joins Graham Dorrans, Youssouf Mulumbu and Andre Wisdom in making the move to Carrow Road this summer.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Brady spoke of his happiness after dropping a division with the relegated Tigers:
“The feeling of being wanted is something I’m so grateful to the manager for, and to everyone who’s been behind it. It’s another opportunity to play at the highest level, which is where everyone wants to be. I’ll relish it, and will hopefully play as many games as possible. It’s a new chapter for me at Norwich now and I’m raring to go.”
THE HISTORY
Born in Dublin, Brady was spotted by Manchester United scouts playing for local side St. Kevin’s Boys. He joined the club’s academy shortly after his 16th birthday in January 2008, and made his debut for the reserves just months later. Brady played under-18 and reserve team football for the next few seasons, before graduating to the reserves on a permanent basis for the 2010/11 campaign.
The Irishman was sent out on loan to Hull City ahead of the 2011/12 season, and went on to make 39 appearances during the campaign, registering three goals and a couple of assists. Brady returned to Old Trafford the following year but he only managed one senior appearance for United, however, coming on as a late substitute in a cup win over Newcastle in September 2012. An initial loan return to Hull was made permanent in January 2013, with Brady’s four goals and 13 assists in 32 appearances guided the Tigers from the Championship back into the top-flight.
Brady went on to star for the Tigers on their return to the Premier League, scoring three goals and providing one assist in 16 appearances, before undergoing surgery to cure a hernia problem, missing out on the club’s run to the FA Cup final, where they lost 3-2 to Arsenal. Last season, Brady made 27 league appearances, registering two assists, but the Tigers two-year stay in the Premier League came to an end as they finished 18th.
Having represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, Brady made his international debut in a 4-1 win against Oman in September 2012, scoring once and setting up two of the goals. Brady has since amassed 12 caps for his country, scoring three times.
THE PROSPECTS
Having featured in several different positions for both Hull and the Republic of Ireland, Brady should provide Norwich boss Alex Neil with plenty of flexibility. Speaking about his big summer signing, Neil revealed Brady would primarily feature down the left flank:
“I’m really pleased to sign Robbie. As everyone’s aware, we’ve been chasing him for quite a while, He’ll be an absolutely perfect fit for us. Hopefully he can go on and show everything that we think he’s capable of. He’s dynamic, he’s got good energy to get up and down the pitch, and he’s got a fantastic left foot which makes him a real danger at set-pieces. He’s got a lot of things in his locker. It gives us good competition down the left side.”
In terms of tactics, Neil tended to operate with a lone striker system after taking the helm last year, rolling out 4-4-1-1, 4-1-4-1 and 4-2-3-1 formations. Bradley Johnson shone on the left flank, racking up 15 goals, but with Martin Olsson likely to miss the start of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer, Johnson has been occasionally fielded at left-back in pre-season. Brady also has plenty of experience in the position, particularly at international level, and offers an alternative until Olsson is ready for action.
The Swede is expected back shortly, though, and his return may well see Brady oust Johnson down the left of midfield. Certainly, he possesses greater pace than Johnson and is more of a natural wide man, with his cultured left foot able to deliver great quality into the box. Alternatively, Neil could utilise him centrally in the role in “the hole” behind a lone striker.
Coming in at 5.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, Brady sets you back the same as Johnson and Nathan Redmond, whose place looks secure on the right of midfield. Neil’s words suggest he’ll be handed a fair share of dead-ball duties, whilst Brady will be also hoping to climb up the spot-kick pecking order, having occasionally taken penalties for Hull.
The Canaries have been handed a kind start to their return to the top flight, with their first six home fixtures (CPL, STO, BOU, LEI, WBA, SWA) particularly friendly. Away trips to Sunderland and Newcastle in the opening nine Gameweeks are also reasonable match-ups, so Brady could provide Fantasy managers with a decent budget option. Given that he’s joined with just over a week until the season starts, he may need time to settle into his new surrounds before some consider taking the plunge.
