Hoffenheim aim dig at Norwich after Lukas Rupp completes Canaries transfer

Nestor Watach

Norwich have completed the signing of Lukas Rupp from Hoffenheim for an undisclosed fee.

The German midfielder, 29, has signed a deal through to the summer of 2022 and joins the club’s fight to stay in the Premier League.

Rupp’s arrival follows on from Slovakia international Ondrej Duda moving on loan to Carrow Road for the rest of the season from Hertha Berlin.

The selling club announced the deal with a not-so-subtle dig at the Canaries, calling them “Premier League basement boys” on a post on Twitter.

“I was in the training camp in Marbella with Hoffenheim and then two days later, I’m here so it’s been very quick. But I’m very happy to be here,” Rupp said on the Norwich club website.

“It is a childhood dream. I was in the Bundesliga for 10 years now and it’s a new chapter for me.

“I wanted to be part of the team here and help the team stay in the Premier League.”

Rupp added: “I’m looking forward to training with the guys. Saturday (against Bournemouth) is an important game and I can’t wait to get started.”
 

Norwich head coach Daniel Farke feels Rupp will prove a “valuable option” for his squad.

“Lukas is a great guy who has a lot of experience. He has played for some very big clubs in Germany and has a lot of game time in the Bundesliga,” Farke said.

“He is a versatile player who can play in a number of positions in the midfield and has also played at full-back.

“Lukas will be a valuable option for us going forward and is a very good character.

“He is an important signing for us and we are happy that a player of his experience has committed to us.”

Norwich host fellow relegation battlers Bournemouth on Saturday bottom of the table and eight points adrift of safety.