Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has expressed his desire to keep Emmanuel Adegboyega at Tannadice Park beyond this season, but Norwich City hold the cards regarding the talented defender’s next move.
Loan star catches the eye
Since joining Dundee United on loan last summer, Adegboyega has established himself as a vital part of the squad, making 31 appearances and scoring three goals. The 21-year-old’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with Goodwin openly admitting he would love to retain the services of the Republic of Ireland U21 international.
“Manny has got a situation at Norwich where they’ve got an option on him for next year, so we’ll see whether they trigger that or not. I trust him and believe there’s still room for development.”
Alongside Adegboyega, Goodwin also praised fellow loanees Luca Stephenson, Sam Dalby, and Jack Walton, highlighting the impact all four players have made during their time in Scotland.
Norwich City left with a decision to make
The Canaries will soon need to decide whether to activate the option in Adegboyega’s contract. If they do not, Dundee United are expected to move swiftly to secure the defender permanently.
Even if Norwich do extend his deal, a further loan move could still materialise, with Adegboyega facing a battle to break into a defensive unit featuring seasoned names like Jose Cordoba and Shane Duffy.
Adegboyega joined Norwich in 2023 after spells with Dundalk, Drogheda United, and Walsall, and is yet to make a senior appearance for the Canaries. His development at Dundee United suggests he could be ready for a bigger stage — but regular game time will be essential for his next step.
Opportunity to build on success
From Dundee United’s perspective, keeping Adegboyega would provide much-needed continuity in their defensive line, particularly as they aim to strengthen for another Premiership campaign.
With Norwich’s Championship season winding down and little left to play for, Adegboyega’s situation is likely to be assessed in the coming weeks, once decisions on the squad for 2025/26 start to take shape.
Writer’s view
It’s been a breakthrough year for Emmanuel Adegboyega, and regular first-team action has clearly benefited his development. If Norwich can’t guarantee him opportunities next season, allowing him to continue flourishing at Dundee United would make perfect sense. For the player’s career, momentum is everything — and another season north of the border could be exactly what he needs.
