Like almost every other website, LUFCTALK.com uses cookies to power some of its essential features and to provide an improved user experience over time.
Please click here to read more about what this means, or leave the site if you do not consent to it.
Latest addition in LUFC Video Clips: my montage of the glory years.
Click here to register Gain full access to the forum and take part in our prediction league.
Norwich City defender Adam Drury has agreed a deal to join Leeds United from July 1.
The experienced left back will join on a two-year contract next month after agreeing a deal to become Neil Warnock's second signing of the summer.
The 33-year-old, who was rewarded with a testimonial match against Celtic at Carrow Road in May, arrives with a wealth of experience, having made over 350 appearances for the Canaries.
Adam was a member of the Norwich side which won back to back promotions from League One to the Premier League and he made 16 appearances last term, the majority coming in the second half of the campaign.
Adam is out of contract at Norwich this summer and the United manager says he is delighted to welcome the left back to his squad.
"From July 1 he will be our player and he's a player I've looked at for many years," said the boss.
"He's a very good professional. I think he's a good defender, he's quick and I thought we needed a bit of experience in certain places, and that desire and will. And with Adam you know what you're going to get.
"I'm delighted to have him. He's got the experience we need. He played 16 times for Norwich last season and he's better than a lot of full backs in the Premier League.
"He's a good lad. That's half the battle as well. It gives us a good mix because we've got young Pearcey on that side as well so we can put that to bed now and move on to a different area.
"When you speak to him he's full of enthusiasm and when you get released from a club you want to prove people wrong.
"There's a few times I've wanted to kick him over the years! We've always had a rapport when my teams have played against him and I think he knows I've always respected him.
"I tried to sign him at Sheffield United a few years back and it wasn't to be, but I've kept my eye on him ever since. He'll love it here. You can't play with fear at Elland Road and I think Adam will enjoy that part."
Adam joins former Portsmouth captain Jason Pearce in becoming the club's second summer recruit.
Posts: 10402
Joined: 08 October 2008
Location: Rothwell
Jun 19, 2012 15:44
I was a bit flippant about not having heard of him, but regardless of that, the lad has bags of experience and has been a solid, steady performer. Not suffered from injuries much either.
An assessment of his last season at Norwich, by one of his fans. Source
On Tuesday night, thousands filled Carrow Road in the name of Adam Drury, who joined Norwich just over 11 years ago; in that time he has enjoyed the success of two championships and a runners up medal, the captaincy and the Barry Butler. This season Drury remained in the City squad as the only surviving member of the last Premier League campaign, but with the continued presence of Marc Tierney, most wondered how much of a role he’d actually play.
Drury started the season as back up Tierney who had never lost his place after coming in for Drury during the latter half of last season. It wasn’t until 27th December, at home to Spurs, that he got his first league opportunity; despite little playing time in the past year, Drury stepped up to the plate and dealt with promising and eventual winner of the PFA young player of the year, Kyle Walker. This first top flight appearance since 2005 for Adam Drury was the first of 12 as he went on to continue his defensive solidity when called upon.
His first month back in the first team gave him slightly limited appearances, as Kyle Naughton was often rotated in at left back. Against QPR he kept Mackie at bay for 45 minutes before having to deal with the pace of Shaun Wright-Phillips, another test of his defensive ability as many would have questioned whether, at 33, he’d have the pace and ability to handle it. Experience proved vital for the left back, described by former team mate Darren Huckerby as one of the best pure defenders he’s ever played with, and while he was never given an easy ride, he handled never let the side down.
After missing out in the 3-0 loss away at Sunderland, Drury then played in the victories over Bolton and Swansea which gave Norwich six points, helping put any relegation worries well behind them and set up a run in with less pressure than the last top flight campaign. Drury had to put in a decent shift against both Bolton and Swansea, as the pace and trickery of Chris Eagles and Nathan Dyer were key for Bolton and the Swans respectively, and Bolton were well and truly nullified as Norwich picked up one of only three clean sheets in the league this season against them. Worth remembering in this game how he spent most of the game at centre-back with Russell Martin as we struggled with injuries, but he was as good as ever.
Against Manchester United he again showed his experience, ability and one-on-one talent, coming up against Nani. It was never going to be an easy game for him, but it was another top performance from a man putting all doubts to rest. He might not have the legs he used to, but he had the experience and the will – and he made it work. He carried that into games against Newcastle, a second appearance against Spurs, one against Everton and eventual champions Manchester City, before picking up an injury against Liverpool in late April.
He has also proven to be an asset in attack at times. Newcastle away is the game that highlights this the most; with Hatem Ben Arfa as the right winger, often drifting into the centre and rarely tracking back, Drury was given ample space to link up with Anthony Pilkington. Although this game was goalless for us, there was plenty of attacking promise, and with Drury and Pilkington having Morison to aim for, chances were to be had. Drury on more than one occasion linked up well with Pilkington or Surman to provide a threat down the left wing, getting balls into the box for either Holt or Morison, Drury even managed a shot in one game. Imagine – a shot. From Adam Drury!
Coming into the season, he probably knew he’d be back up, but he was needed and when called upon he provided a very steady option in defence that was never settled. He was always reliable and I’m sure helped keep a few goals out of a somewhat leaky defence. His fine service to this club was rewarded with a testimonial game versus Celtic, an incredible night that all fans, players and family will forever remember, and after yet another season of solid defending it’s a fitting tribute. Though we are yet to hear whether or not he’ll be rewarded with a new contract, based on his 16 appearances, he probably deserves it and will be a more than worthy back up player next season in the Premier League.
Posts: 2068
Joined: 27 March 2012
Location: South London
Jun 19, 2012 16:43
Nice to have a new signing. Another former-captain. Hopefully provide experience and leadership. By the sounds of it, he won't be subject to pacy players like ol' Robbo was.
Happy with this calibre of player. good move by warnock. loving the passion and enthusiasm by warnock in his evalutation of the signing. Also very pleasing.
Good bit of buisness getting him a free in an area that needed work.
Posts: 1024
Joined: 22 January 2012
Location: Barlow, obviously
Jun 19, 2012 16:52
Hopefully this is the start of a rash of new signings, following NW's return from holiday.
Personally, I was a little dissapointed we didn't give Robinson just one more year but very happy with this. The defence is really starting to take shape now.
Lonergan (or Kenny)
Connolly (Sorry Sheepy, sure there is someone else to follow)
Lees / Pearce
Drury.
Posts: 2068
Joined: 27 March 2012
Location: South London
Jun 19, 2012 16:55
Barlow Boy
Hopefully this is the start of a rash of new signings, following NW's return from holiday.
Personally, I was a little dissapointed we didn't give Robinson just one more year but very happy with this. The defence is really starting to take shape now.
Lonergan (or Kenny) Connolly (Sorry Sheepy, sure there is someone else to follow)Lees / Pearce
Drury.
little dissapointed we didn't give Robinson just one more year
My first thought when reading up on who Drury is was "it's another Paul Robinson". But after a bit of digging he seems a bit above him, so I'm quite happy with this. Warnock trusts him, so I trust him and he's on a two-year contract, not one, so he seems to be trusted to have at least another good season in him. As has been said, we need just one quality right back now and we might actually be looking at (gasp) confidence-inspiring defence.
Posts: 1382
Joined: 25 May 2009
Location: Norwich well everyone else has gone there!
Jun 19, 2012 17:06
Judging by the comments on the Norwich forum... He is well rated .... Was offered a 12 month deal 2 years here has swung it. Would love to see us sign a pacy max gradel esq player ahead of him on left wing, with a pacy young right back as support for snoddy. Add to that the experience of Kenny in goal we would only have the two central midfield slots to sort.
Posts: 1024
Joined: 22 January 2012
Location: Barlow, obviously
Jun 19, 2012 17:24
violentj
With us signing folk does that not kill the idea of a full takeover ?
I think I put somewhere else that the lack of transfer activity, both in and out, is due to a transfer embargo as the takeover was ongoing.
This signing would suggest;
(a) I was completely wrong.
(b) The takeover is complete, but not announced.
(c) It was never a takeover, but an investement now complete hence the transfer of Drury.
Posts: 1758
Joined: 17 February 2010
Location: Spain
Jun 19, 2012 17:42
onenorthernsoul
violentj
With us signing folk does that not kill the idea of a full takeover ?
It does if you want to look at things gloomily Note that it says July 1st for the official signing date
The 1 july date is obviously because his current contract runs out 30 june as do most of the players contracts.
Why they have contracts up to 30 june is beyond me but perhaps now july is getting closer, a few more signings will be announced as I´m also cock-sure NW has a few agreements already in place....
