After ten years at the club, Wes Hoolahan has confirmed he will be leaving Norwich City at the end of the season.
The former Irish international joined the Canaries in 2008 and has established himself as a club legend ever since moving from Blackpool. He leaves the East Anglia side having made 350 appearances thus far, scoring 53 goals and making 77 assists.
Hoolahan played a huge role in the club attaining back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League under Paul Lambert, meaning Norwich fans are especially sad to see him go. But at the age of 35, it is the natural move for the Dublin-born playmaker to move on with his contract expiring at the end of the 2017/18 season.
Supporters paid tribute to the Irishman when the news broke this afternoon.
Bargain at £250,000 and 10 years of memories. One of the best signings we’ve ever had in my lifetime! Wes Hoolahan = LEGEND!
— Leon Howard ⚽️ (@Canaryfan95) April 23, 2018
Wes Hoolahan will be topping the Twitter trends ahead of the royal baby before you know it. #ncfc
— van der Finz 🐥going 🆙 going ⬇️ (@JamesFinbow) April 23, 2018
Messi is a poor mans Wes Hoolahan
— Dan (@LandDownUnder48) April 23, 2018
“And here comes Hoolahan, things could get worse for Ipswich....it has got worse! It’s Wes Hoolahan for Norwich City! And the bragging rights are wrapped in yellow and green!” #ncfc 😢
— Matt Lewendon (@matty_leww) April 23, 2018
Sad that the time has come for Wes Hoolahan to move on but now seems like the right time. Thanks for all you've done for the club #ThanksWes #ncfc
— Matt Howes (@matthowes9) April 23, 2018
Wes Hoolahan is leaving Norwich City at the end of the season. Hard to believe he's doing things like this for the Canaries for TEN YEARS. What a baller. #Wessi pic.twitter.com/nz8kXjGoou
— Nostalgia Ultras 🎙 (@NostalgiaUltra5) April 23, 2018
It’s the day every #NCFC fan knew would come, but it’s still very sad. Wes Hoolahan is leaving at season’s end after 10 years of ups, downs & more magic tricks than Harry Potter. One of the greats in yellow and green, of that there’s no doubt. Lovely unassuming fella too. #Wessi pic.twitter.com/0VFgq6gtTt
— Dan O'Hagan (@danohagan) April 23, 2018
Hoolahan penned an emotional letter to the fans, calling his time with the team "brilliant":
It’s been a great 10 years at this Club. The fans have been amazing to me, the Club have been great and I’m going to miss the place.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself at Norwich City and it’s going to be an emotional day on Saturday against Leeds. I just want to say to the fans thanks for the support, you’ve been amazing throughout my whole time here.
The club's Sporting Director Stuart Webber summed Wes up perfectly with this quote today:
If you like football, then you like Wes Hoolahan.
In appreciation of The Irish Messi the club will host that long forgotten relic of football rituals, the testimonial, for the midfielder in the next twelve months.
Where Wes Hoolahan ends up next is anyone's guess. One imagines a host of Championship clubs in England will strive for his signature, but there is always the possibility of him returning to the place he honed his skills, the League of Ireland, before bowing out of the game altogether.
