{"id":560493,"date":"2020-08-01T11:56:27","date_gmt":"2020-08-01T15:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=560493"},"modified":"2021-12-27T12:26:29","modified_gmt":"2021-12-27T17:26:29","slug":"timi-odusina-leaves-norwich-city-for-hartlepool-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/08\/01\/timi-odusina-leaves-norwich-city-for-hartlepool-united\/","title":{"rendered":"Timi Odusina Leaves Norwich City For Hartlepool United"},"content":{"rendered":"

Timi <\/span>Odusina<\/span><\/a> has today completed his transfer to non-<\/span>league<\/span> club Hartlepool United. This follows his recent release from Premier League<\/a> club Norwich City.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Timi Odusina Joins Hartlepool United Following Norwich City Release<\/h2>\n

Odusina<\/span> Already Knows Hartlepool United<\/span><\/h3>\n

Odusina<\/span> is no stranger to Hartlepool United’s supporters, for he joined the club<\/a> on loan in January. <\/span>Unfortunately<\/span>, due to the COVID-19 <\/span>pandemic<\/span>, his loan spell was not as long as originally expected, He had joined United until the end of the 2019\/20 season, but he played less than ten games before the National League was abandoned<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This was a shame, as Hartlepool United\u2019s manager <\/span>Dave Challinor was particularly enthusiastic about the signing of <\/span>Odusina<\/span>. At the time, <\/span>Challinor spoke to the Official <\/span>Hartlepool<\/span> United FC website.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a centre-back by trade though perhaps not the typical centre-back at this level in terms of size,\u201d said Challinor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s really athletic and very, very quick so he will allow us to defend high up the pitch and give us cover at the back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One reason behind <\/span>Challinor\u2019s enthusiasm was that the pair had worked together previously. In January 2019, <\/span>Odusina<\/span> signed for AFC Fylde, who were then managed by Challinor. <\/span><\/p>\n

The 2019\/20 season was the most successful in the history of AFC Fylde. They reached the National League Play-off Final but lost to Salford City. One week later, AFC Fylde won the FA Trophy<\/a>. <\/span>Odusina<\/span> was in the matchday squad for both matches, which were played at Wembley.<\/span><\/p>\n

Released<\/span> by<\/span> Norwich<\/span><\/h3>\n

Odusina<\/span> returned to Norwich City for the 2019\/20 season. He was a member of Norwich City\u2019s <\/span>Premier League 2 side, although injury hampered his playing time. Soon after his recovery, he joined Hartlepool United.<\/span><\/p>\n

Odusina<\/span>, p<\/span>rior to joining AFC Fylde, seemed on the brink of the Norwich City first team. In November 2018, he was an unused substitute in City\u2019s 4-0 victory<\/a> at Sheffield Wednesday. His future at Norwich seemed bright, especially as he was also the captain of their Premier League 2 side.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was perhaps, for this reason, that it comes as a surprise that he has left Norwich. <\/span>Odusina\u2019s<\/span> contract with Norwich expired at the end of the 2019\/20 season. He had been at <\/span>Norwich<\/span> since the age o<\/span>f<\/span> 14, when he made the switch <\/span>from<\/span> Arsenal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still just 20-years-old, it would be wrong to assume that <\/span>Odusina\u2019s<\/span> dream of playing professional football is over. Many players \u2013 most notably Jamie Vardy<\/a> \u2013 have moved into the non-league before heading back into the Football League. Quite possibly, this could be with Hartlepool, as they seem destined to challenge for promotion next season under <\/span>Challinor\u2019s leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

Either way, <\/span>Odusina<\/span> could still prove a name to watch out for in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>