A report from German outlet Bild claims that USMNT youngster Sebastian Soto will sign for Norwich City from Hannover.
Soto, 19, has reportedly signed a three-year contract with Premier League side Norwich as he’s out of contract with 2. Bundesliga side Hannover this summer.
But there’s a twist.
Per the report, Norwich will not be able to get a work permit straight away for Soto and he will initially be loaned out to a club in Germany, Belgium or the Netherlands.
It was also reported Norwich will pay $200,000 for Soto after he passed a medical. That transfer fee is likely the compensation Hannover are due for developing Soto in their academy since 2018.
There has been no confirmation from either clubs or the player.
Soto has made five first team appearances over the last two seasons at Hannover but has failed to become a regular, even after his fine form for the U.S. at the U20 World Cup last summer. Soto scored braces against Nigeria and group play and in the shock win against tournament favorites France and the forward is comfortable through the middle and likes to link up the play and hold up the ball.
Norwich and their sporting director Stuart Webber think outside the box when it comes to player recruitment and they recently signed Luxembourg forward Danel Sinani, while the likes of Teemu Pukki and Emiliano Buendia were out of left-field but inspired signings.
With Norwich bottom of the Premier League table and six points from safety, it is likely they will be in the Championship next season. That’s not a bad thing for Soto as he would likely get more minutes for Daniel Farke’s side, but the key to all of this is getting a work permit for the UK.
If Norwich can find a decent place for him to land on loan while the work permit is sorted out, this is a very good club for Soto to develop at. Norwich are stable, have a clear playing identity and recruitment plan and are a genuine yo-yo club.