Canaries release forward Huckerby

Forward Darren Huckerby has been released by Norwich City as part of boss Glenn Roeder's summer clear-out.

Fans' favourite Huckerby heads the list of nine players who have been released by Roeder two days after the end of the Championship season.

The Norwich manager told the club's official website that the club owed a debt to the mercurial winger.

He said: "I'd like to place on record my recognition for what he has achieved during his time at Norwich City."

He added: "I have talked it over with Darren and told him we will not be offering a new contract for next season."

Among the other players released are Fakenham's Jarvis brothers, Rossi and Ryan, Scottish youth international Andrew Cave-Brown and South African prospect Bally Smart.

"I'm looking to overhaul the squad for next season and beyond and a number of players, including Darren, are not part of those plans"
Glenn Roeder

Patrick Bexfield, Steven Arnold, Matthew Halliday and Juan Velasco have also been told they have no future at Carrow Road.

Roeder said the clear-out was the first step in plans to rebuild his squad over the summer.

"I'm looking to overhaul the squad for next season and beyond and a number of players, including Darren, are not part of those plans," he said.

Huckerby joined Norwich on-loan in September 2003 and his goals fired the team to the top of the Championship by Christmas.

His signing was made permanent in a £750,000 move from Manchester City just after Christmas that year, with the Canaries going on to win the title and promotion to the Premiership.

606: DEBATE
"Personally I'm gutted, I hope Roeder knows what he is doing, I don't think this will go down well with most of the fans"
Sports_addict

He won the fans' player-of-the-year award in 2005 as the club just failed to stave off relegation from the top flight, and joined an elite group of club legends by winning it again in 2007.

A persistent hip injury limited his contribution over the last 12 months, and a move to the play in the United States in the MLS has been suggested as Huckerby's next move.

He recently told BBC Radio Norfolk he would never want to play against Norwich City.

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