‘It’s satisfying’: Norwich City’s Ben Godfrey takes aim after Leeds United and Boro rejections

Follow us on Google Discover

Norwich City’s Ben Godfrey had trials at both Leeds United and Middlesbrough.

Norwich City defender Ben Godfrey has recalled how Leeds United and Middlesbrough turned him down as a youngster, making his side’s current position in the table all the more satisfying, Eastern Daily Press report.

“Nobody can tell what sort of player you’ll be at 15 or 16, but it is satisfying for me that these clubs [Leeds United and Middlesbrough] have lost somebody that they are now fighting for promotion against,” Godfrey explained.

“To be fair to them, though, they did tell me to go and prove them wrong and that stuck with me to be honest.”

Godfrey started his career at York City, before moving to Middlesbrough in 2011. He was later released by Boro, and ended up having failed trials at Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday before returning to York at U15 level.

The 21-year-old then went on to play for the York team before moving to Norwich in 2016.

Godfrey featured for the Canaries academy side as a midfielder, but manager Daniel Farke has since started playing him at centre-back and his breakthrough to the first-team has been quite spectacular.

He has replaced the experienced Timm Klose when the Switzerland international was out injured, helping Norwich storm to the top of the Championship. In his 19 league starts this season, the Norfolk side have won 12, drawn five and lost just two.

According to a recent report in The Sun, Manchester United are tracking the youngster who is rated at £10 million with United sending scouts to watch him in action in recent matches.

Norwich’s latest 1-0 win came against Boro at the Riverside Stadium where Godfrey was excellent. The defender also starred at Elland Road when the Canaries recorded a 3-1 win over the Whites.

Both Boro and Leeds will regret turning him away as a youngster, and their decision to do so could have further consequences should Godfrey guide Norwich to a place in the Premier League at their expense.