Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup has admitted he wanted Adam Idah to stay at the Championship club instead of moving to Celtic.
The striker, 23, completed a permanent transfer move to Parkhead last night committing his future to the club signing a five-year deal.
It's reported an £8.5m fee was required - with sell-ons and bonuses - in order for Norwich to sell the player.
🗣️ JHT on Adam Idah: “I think it wasn’t perfect against Oxford, but he came in with an attitude to perform. He stepped up after the episode in Austria. I think we can be proud of the transfer, he has been here for a while. He wanted to go to Celtic, which is fair. I wish him all…
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Idah had been linked with Celtic all summer after an impressive loan spell from January where he helped the club to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double.
The player returned to Norwich at the end of the season and linked up with his team-mates in pre-season with Thorup keen to run the rule over the forward before any decisions on his future.
Idah missed a flight to pre-season training in Austria with the club and faced internal disciplinary action over the AWOL incident, but he was involved in the club's Championship opener against Oxford.
Now, Thorup has tipped Idah to be a Premier League quality striker in the future as he revealed he wanted to keep the striker this summer.
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“I think it wasn’t perfect against Oxford, but he came in with an attitude to perform," said Thorup of Idah after his move to Celtic was finalised. "He stepped up after the episode in Austria. I think we can be proud of the transfer, he has been here for a while. He wanted to go to Celtic, which is fair. I wish him all the best.”
“When you are on a contract here you have to fulfil that contract. Unless there is an offer that’s acceptable. You cannot force your way out.
“I see him as a potential Premier League striker with his attributes and power. I wish him all the best and hope he can perform well at Celtic FC. I would have wanted him to stay."
