Angus Gunn switching Hampshire for home as he nears a Carrow Road return

Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn looks set for a return to boyhood club Norwich City for a reported initial £2.5 million fee.

Gunn was born in Norfolk and supported the Canaries during his early life, mainly due to his family ties to the club. The 25-year-old is the son of former Norwich goalkeeper, manager, and club legend Bryan Gunn, who amassed 390 appearances in yellow and green from 1986 to 1998.

Growing up in Norfolk, naturally, he started his career in the Norwich City academy before being scouted and identified by Manchester City. The six-foot-five stopper joined the Citizens for £250,000 following a tribunal in June 2013, featuring numerous times on the bench throughout the 2016/17 campaign.

His first full season of senior football came at Carrow Road in 2017/18, with the young keeper playing 46 games for the Canaries while on loan from the Citizens.

He built a strong relationship with current Norwich head coach Daniel Farke, who retained high praise for the former England youth international for his maturity and professionalism during a tough transitional season for the club.

Gunn was voted third in Norwich’s Player of the Season award behind Grant Hanley and James Maddison and returned to the Etihad a man in demand. Interest from Leicester and Southampton surfaced, and it was the Saints who secured his services in July 2018.

A torrid time on the South Coast followed for Gunn, despite breaking into the team during his first season. His Premier League debut for the club came at Stamford Bridge, making some vital saves to earn the Saints a 0-0 draw and himself a clean sheet.

The decline of his career at St Mary’s happened after the club was demolished 9-0 by a free-flowing Leicester City in October 2019, which led to his opportunities being severely limited.

As a result, he joined Championship side Stoke City on a season-long loan in October 2020 but picked up an injury early into his spell in Staffordshire as he only made 15 appearances for the Potters.

The news of his return to Norwich has received a mixed response amongst the Canary faithful. A segment of fans appear surprised that a back-up goalkeeper was a priority for the club, particularly after the sale of talisman Emi Buendia to Aston Villa.

However, with Orjan Nyland seemingly unwilling to play second fiddle to Tim Krul and expected to depart the club this summer and Michael McGovern being primarily transitioned into a coaching role, it remains important that Norwich address the position.

Dutch international Tim Krul will remain between the sticks for the season opener against Liverpool baring an injury setback and Gunn is expected to push and challenge the Dutchman for the number one jersey. The expectation is that he will eventually become the predecessor to the former Newcastle goalkeeper, who is now 33-years-old.

Therefore, in the short, medium, and long-term this would appear a clever deal by Norwich’s Sporting Director, Stuart Webber.

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