Norwich City issue weird Josh Sargent update that causes a stir online | OneFootball

Josh Sargent turns 26 today, and Norwich's birthday message has caused Canaries fans to react

Norwich City and Josh Sargent's relationship has soured massively over the past month. However, the freshly turned 26-year-old is still on the books at Carrow Road, albeit not for much longer.

Indeed, Sargent hasn't played for the Canaries since January 4, when Norwich lost 2-0 against Stoke City.

He made himself unavailable for the following weekend's FA Cup third round tie against Walsall, and has since been frozen out of first-team affairs, with a £15.5 million move to Toronto FC all but confirmed ahead of the new MLS season kicking off this weekend.

Ironically enough, in the eight games since Sargent withdrew himself from selection, Norwich have won seven, scoring at least twice in each win. Two of the games have seen them score three times, and two have seen them score five times!

With the emergence of Jovon Makama as a reliable frontman, and the new arrival Mo Toure scoring five goals in his opening three games for the Canaries, it's clear to see that Sargent isn't being missed at all.

Norwich City's birthday message for Josh Sargent causes reaction online

Despite everything that has gone on in the past month, Sargent is still a Norwich player. He didn't get his move during the January transfer window, but there wasn't a rush to, as the MLS window remains open until the end of March.

But, given that today is the American frontman's 26th birthday, the Canaries have posted a Happy Birthday message on X for him, but to call it a "happy" birthday post is a stretch in itself.

"Josh Sargent turns 26 today 🎈," reads the post, in an almost anti-happy birthday wish, and it just emphasises the feeling between both parties involved.

Naturally, Norwich fans congregated in the comments to deliver their well, or in this case, not so well wishes, as their want-away striker turns 26.

"Who dis? Soz, new club, don't know who you are now," wrote one fan.

"Hope he enjoys himself looking at homes for sale in Toronto on Right Move all day, knowing that he's never kicking a ball for us again," wrote another.

Others praised the X admin's wording of the message — "Haha, that's the most backhanded happy birthday OAT (of all time)" and "Not even a happy birthday, lovely work from the admin," were among the replies.

And while some, and it's a minuscule percentage, of fans put aside their feelings to wish him a happy birthday (one saying that "he's still a human being and everyone deserves a happy birthday!"), the overall arching message is that pretty much everyone associated with the club can't wait for him to leave.

Norwich City's Josh Sargent saga is coming to an end shortly

With the success on the pitch over the last eight games, Sargent's presence at the club is now just lingering like a bad smell, and those at Carrow Road can't wait to wash their hands of this whole saga.

Luckily enough for everyone, a move seems to be coming into fruition shortly, as MLS side Toronto FC has reportedly agreed a £15.5 million deal with the Canaries for the 26-year-old.

Given the American's drop in form since he netted five in the opening four games of the season, this resembles a good recoup for Norwich, and a healthy profit on the £8 million they spent on him in 2021.

It's a real shame to see the relationship between the club and the forward deteriorate over the past month.

Before this season, Sargent was heralded as a hero at Carrow Road, being the one constant in the side as other key players departed for newer pastures, some even to their bitter rivals, Ipswich Town.

However, it's evident through their birthday post today and the reaction following it that the Canaries are looking forward to being rid of the 26-year-old.