Norwich City: £800k Liverpool deal did not really work out – View

After six years out of the division, Paul Lambert guided the Canaries to consecutive promotions from League One to the top tier.

The Norfolk team brought in a number of new players as they were ready for life back in the top division.

Ayala, who had been at Liverpool since 2007, landed at Carrow Road in a deal worth £800,000, according to the BBC.

The centre back was brought to the Reds’ academy from Sevilla, and before making the permanent move to Norwich, he had Championship loan stints with Hull City and Derby County.

At the tender age of eighteen, he played at the highest level for the Liverpool team, making five Premier League matches.

Daniel Ayala’s Norwich stint

Paul Lambert - Norwich City Manager

Ayala’s signing generated some enthusiasm, particularly because he was known to be a young player with promise who was developing at Liverpool.

In an effort to support Norwich in staying in the division, the defender was prepared to make the jump to the Premier League after accumulating a significant amount of senior experience.

The Spaniard made his debut for Lambert’s team in a 1-1 draw with Stoke City, coming on as a substitute for the last 25 minutes of play.

However, he missed several months of action due to a knee injury he sustained in a League Cup game, delaying his first league start until December.

But after just six starts, he was cut from the squad once more due to a fitness problem.

Ayala consented to a summer loan move with Nottingham Forest, therefore he never played for the team again.

In the following season, he went on another loan to Middlesbrough, which led to his permanent transfer to the Riverside in 2014.

The Canaries made it through their first two seasons back in the Premier League, but after finishing in 19th position in the standings in 2014, they were demoted to the Championship.

Daniel Ayala – Norwich City league appearances by season (per Fbref.com)
Season Appearances (Starts)
2011-12 7 (6)

Daniel Ayala’s Championship career

Daniel Ayala

Ayala continued on to establish himself as a cornerstone for Middlesbrough in the Championship, even contributing to their 2016 promotion under Aitor Karanka.

As Karanka’s team finished second in the standings, the now 33-year-old made 35 appearances in the league.

Ayala struggled to get regular playing time in the elite division once more, but the defender was a reliable presence for Boro while they were in the championship.

Over the course of six seasons at the Riverside, he made 175 league appearances, establishing himself as a reliable player.

During his three years at Ewood Park, Ayala earned 56 additional appearances for Blackburn Rovers, proving his worth at this level.

Everything turned out for the best in the end, even though the move to Carrow Road did not live up to expectations.

Throughout the course of six seasons at the Riverside, he made 175 league appearances, establishing himself as a reliable player.

Ayala made 56 more appearances for Blackburn Rovers over his three years at Ewood Park, demonstrating his value at this level.

Despite the fact that the relocation to Carrow Road fell short of expectations, things eventually worked out for all parties.

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