Former Ipswich Town striker Jordan Rhodes has completed a season-long loan move to Norwich from Sheffield Wednesday.
Rhodes, who was allowed to leave Ipswich for just £350,000 by Roy Keane in 2009, has scored 187 goals since leaving Suffolk having come through the Portman Road youth system.
He will now spend the 2017/18 season at Carrow Road, with the Canaries paying a proportion of his wages after the Owls relented on their demands for a rumoured £3million loan fee.
“The move took its time in the end but now that it’s finally happened, it’s a real pleasure to be here,” Rhodes told the Norwich club website.
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“It’s a fantastic football club with a great fanbase and if I play a few games this season, it will be a pleasure to do so.
“I’m looking forward to getting settled and starting up and playing a few games with the team. I’m really looking forward to pulling on the yellow and green jersey.
“It’s a sell-out every week and there are a few familiar faces here that I already know. They’ve made me feel really welcome already.
“I’m really looking forward to settling into the area, getting to know everyone and really taking in the local surroundings.”
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On the prospect of facing Ipswich, with the first derby of the season set for Portman Road on September 2, Rhodes added: “Having grown up watching the derbies and seen the excitement it brings -I’ve been at both stadiums watching the derbies - I’m a Canary now. Let’s leave it at that.”
Norwich head coach Daniel Farke said: “We’re very pleased. Jordan has proved for many years that he’s able to play at this level and to score and assist.
“We were looking to strengthen our squad in terms of scoring goals and assists and he’s also at a great age where he can develop his game even more.
“I also like a lot his attitude on the pitch. He always works hard for the team and he’s a brilliant character. He was desperate to join us and I’m pleased that he’s here.”
Since leaving Suffolk Rhodes has netted 187 goals in 419 games and has commanded more than £25million in transfer fees, as well as winning 14 caps for Scotland.
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His most prolfic spells came at Huddersfield (87 goals in 148 games) and Blackburn (85 in 169), but he has found the going a little more tough of late.
Since joining Middlesbrough in February 2016 he has played just 79 games and has managed just 16 goals, only scoring five Championship goals for Wednesday last season.
Speaking back in December 2013, having celebrated after scoring for Blackburn on his first return to Ipswich, Rhodes said: “I’m still an Ipswich fan, I’m one of them. Never for one moment did I ever want to leave Ipswich Town.”
Portman Road hosts the first East Anglian derby of the season on Sunday, September 2.
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