Since making his professional debut for Tottenham Hotspur in October 2018, Oliver Skipp has impressed Spurs supporters with a number of mature performances in multiple competitions.
Over the course of the last two seasons the defensive midfielder has made a total of 23 appearances for the north London club, and committed his long-term future to Tottenham by signing a new four-year contract in July.
With Skipp turning 20 next month, Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has decided to loan the player out in order for him to gain some valuable first-team experience.
Interest in the England under-21 international was high, with Dan Kilpatrick of the Evening Standard reporting that Wolfsburg, Arminia Bielefeld, Fulham, Huddersfield Town and Reading were all keen to pursue a deal.
However, Skipp has chosen to join Norwich City, who are back in the EFL after finishing rock bottom of the Premier League last term.
Skipp’s first loan spell
One of the three matches the youngster started for Spurs last season came against Norwich in the last 16 of the FA Cup, a tie the Canaries won on penalties.
Five months on from that entertaining encounter, Skipp is clearly very pleased to have been given the chance to play for City.
He told the club's official website: "I’m delighted to sign for Norwich. It’s a club that’s looking to go places. This season is a big one for the club and we’ll be looking to get back into the Premier League.
“I spoke to Max Aarons before coming and he only said positive things about the club. Knowing a few of the boys will help me settle in, so I’m really looking forward to getting started.
“I haven’t played as much football as I’d want but this is a massive opportunity and hopefully I’ll show the fans that I’m capable of taking it.”
A useful move for all parties
For Skipp, the move to Norfolk evidently stood out as an opportunity to be heavily involved with a team who will hope to be pushing for promotion. The option of staying in the top-flight with Fulham or even moving to the Bundesliga will have also been attractive, but his game time there might have been limited.
With Tom Trybull expected to depart this summer and Alexander Tettey moving into the final year of his Norwich contract, Daniel Farke needed to bring a defensive midfielder through the Carrow Road doors. The Canaries’ possession-based style of football is likely to suit Skipp, who should flourish if he is able to start games regularly.
Tottenham evidently intend to use Skipp heavily in their own first-team in the future, hence the recent new contract, so it will be important to them that he returns next summer with several matches under his belt.
Spurs are also believed to be looking to sign a right-back this transfer window and have reportedly been interested in Norwich’s Max Aarons in the past. With relations between the two clubs seemingly good at the moment, it would not be a great surprise if Aarons made that switch.