Mixed emotions for Sam McCallum after Norwich City exit

The left back was part of a group of six first-team players, including Ben Gibson and Dimitris Giannoulis, departing the club at the end of their respective contracts. 

McCallum joined City in 2020 for £3.5m from Coventry and went on to play 60 times for the Canaries, struggling to overthrow Giannoulis consistently despite an impressive loan spell with QPR. 

His time at Carrow Road has been stop-start, but McCallum was a popular figure among supporters, players and coaches. 

Norwich were interested in striking an agreement with McCallum, but no deal could be thrashed out. Stoke are one of the sides interested in the 23-year-old defender this summer, with plenty of interest expected in his services. 

City will look to add two left-backs to their squad this summer as they seek to alter the profile and average age of the group in a process being led by sporting director Ben Knapper, who is also on the hunt for a new head coach after David Wagner's dismissal last week. 

McCallum's final outing in yellow and green came during their 4-0 second-leg defeat to Leeds United, and in his exit message via his official Instagram page, he expressed his frustration at falling short of promotion. 

"My time at Norwich has come to an end," McCallum wrote on social media "It was a frustrating end to my journey here as I wish I could’ve given more for the club and taken it back to where it belongs.

Sam McCallum made 60 appearances for Norwich City. (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)

"It was a shame we couldn’t end on a high but I would like to thank the players, staff and you the fans for all the support you showed me throughout my time here.

"Grateful to have met every single one of you and glad I can say that I’ve made some friends and memories for life.

"I wish the club, and everyone involved, all the best and every success for the future."