Iwan Roberts to Ninian Park?

By Chris O'Brien
April 30 2004

Norwich City have decided to release experienced striker and club captain Iwan Roberts when his contract expires at the end of the season. The 35-year-old Welsh international has been linked with a move to Ninian Park a number of times over the past couple of seasons.

Promoted Norwich City have reached the decision to release Welsh international forward Iwan Roberts when his contract expires at the end of the current season.

"Iwan was one that we thought long and hard about," said Canaries boss Nigel Worthington.

"It may also give Robbo an opportunity to add to his career elsewhere - perhaps look for a player-coach role."

The veteran has been linked with a move to the Bluebirds on several occasions in the past two seasons, and a move to Ninian Park for the towering forward cannot be ruled out, particularly with rumours of Robert Earnshaw's pre-season departure gaining momentum all the while.

Norwich's club captain has played an important role in their promotion back to the Premiership and will now look to clinch the First Division title with the Norfolk-based outfit, who have shown terrific home form which laid the foundations for their charge back to England's top flight. Roberts has struggled with niggling injuries this season, meaning he has only netted 6 goals, which takes his total Norwich City tally to 95 goals from just over 300 games since moving to Carrow Road from Wolves in 1997.

The experienced Roberts has made over 600 domestic football appearances, and has also picked up 15 international caps over his career. He has played for Watford, Huddersfield Town, Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City since leaving the youth system at Vicarage Road in the late 1980's, and could still do a job at this level, although injures could prove a problem.

The financial crisis at the club, with debts at a shocking figure of over £23million, has seen owner Sam Hammam announce that there will not be any purchases during the summer. However, Lennie Lawrence is likely to be on the look out for some free transfer signings before the start of the 2004/2005 campaign, and an experienced forward like Iwan Roberts could be an ideal signing should their be a vacancy in the attacking ranks.