This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Norwich City will be attempting to escape the Championship at the first time of asking during the 2022/23 campaign, with Newcastle United's Isaac Hayden arriving as the Canaries' first summer signing. 

The holding midfielder, who has featured 171 times for the Magpies since his 2016 arrival, played 14 times in the Premier League last season.

Spending the majority of the second half of the season out with injury, Hayden has embarked on a loan spell with the Norfolk club.

The 27-year-old played an integral role in Newcastle's promotion back to the Premier League during the 2016/17 campaign upon arrival, featuring regularly in the Premier League since then.

Three of our writers here at FLW have shared their thoughts regarding Hayden's arrival at Carrow Road...

 

 

Simmey Hannifin-Donaldson

I do think this is a good signing for Norwich.

Whilst Isaac Hayden isn't a top quality Premier League player, he has amassed a big number of appearances in the top-flight, and should be one of the best midfielders in the Championship next season.

Not only that, but he has been a part of a promotion winning campaign before, having gone up with Newcastle United back in 2016/17.

All of the above make this a shrewd addition for Norwich City, and one that will only strengthen the club's promotion chances next season.

Marcus Ally 

This is a move that makes a lot of sense for both clubs.

Hayden has proven himself as a useful player in the Premier League in recent years, but falling down the pecking order while contracted until the summer of 2026 is not ideal, joining the Canaries on loan, with obligation to buy terms, is a sensible next step at this stage of his career.

Hayden will be motivated by the added terms in the loan deal, suggesting that a successful season will result in a permanent transfer.

Oliver Skipp was a huge player for Norwich when they won the Championship title in 2020/21 and with plenty of survivors from that squad still present at Carrow Road, it feels like Hayden could take on a similar role.

The 27-year-old will certainly protect the back four effectively at this level and is a positive addition in building a promotion push under Dean Smith.

Toby Wilding 

This feels like it could be an excellent signing for Norwich as they prepare for a return to the Championship.

Hayden has rarely looked out of place when playing for Newcastle in the Premier League, so you imagine he will be more than capable of making an impact for the Canaries in the second-tier.

Indeed, when you consider the fact that he already has two promotions on his CV at this level, you get the feeling this could be just what his new club need, as they look for another swift return to English football's top tier.

Add in the fact that with Billy Gilmour, Lukas Rupp and Mathias Normann all leaving the club this summer, Norwich did need some midfield reinforcement, and this does look to be a really good piece of business by the club.