Sainz leaves Norwich to join Porto on five-year deal

Winger Borja Sainz has left Norwich City and joined Porto for £14.25m.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the 30-time Portuguese champions following a two-year spell at Carrow Road.

Sainz was the club's top scorer last season with 18 Championship goals despite missing six games through suspension as a result of a spitting incident.

The Spaniard joined the Canaries from Turkish side Giresunspor in June 2023.

Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper told the club website: "During his time with us, his performances and impact have been brilliant. He gave us all many memorable moments, scored some spectacular goals and was often the deciding factor in many of our games.

"This is a fantastic move for all parties, with Borja now progressing onto the next stage of his career with a top European club in FC Porto.

"It also demonstrates once again our ability to identify and develop players for the highest levels of the game, and everyone involved deserves huge credit for their work."

The Canaries were bracing themselves for Sainz's departure and have brought in Denmark international Mathias Kvistgaarden who can operate as a striker and winger.

It remains to be seen if forward Josh Sargent will follow Sainz out of club - the United States international has been linked with a move to Premier League new boys Burnley but has three years left on his contract.

Sainz scored a memorable FA Cup goal for Norwich at Liverpool in January 2024

In his first season at Norwich, Sainz scored on his debut in an EFL Cup tie against Fulham and went on to add another seven goals in all competitions, including a memorable FA Cup goal against Liverpool at Anfield.

He began the 2024-25 season in blistering fashion scoring 16 goals from 20 appearances in all competitions, a run including two hat-tricks against Derby County and Plymouth Argyle.

However, his form dipped in the second half of the campaign and he only added two more to his tally, finishing second in the Championship top scorer list behind Leeds United's Joel Piroe.

This dip in form was compounded by Sainz receiving a six-match ban for spitting at Sunderland defender Chris Mepham in the game at the Stadium of Light in December 2024.

He made a full apology for the incident, saying in a statement: "Spitting at an opponent is completely out of character for me, and my reaction in that moment was unacceptable....I am deeply disappointed in myself and for letting all of you down through my conduct."

Speaking following Norwich's 3-1 pre-season win over Northampton Town on Saturday, new head coach Liam Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk that Sainz's move was a "terrific deal" for the club.

He added: "It allows us to improve the team, and that's part and parcel of football now.

"My job is to concentrate on what we've got here and how we get the group ready for next week and beyond. We're working hard behind the scenes to add.

"There are still a few faces we need to add and will add so we'll keep pushing on that and make the squad as strong as we can."