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Notts County has just locked in the signing of Oliver Norburn. The 32-year-old midfielder signed a one-year deal, and there is an option for another year if all goes well. Before this, he played at Blackpool.

The Head of Football, Roberto Gagliardi, is really excited about this signing. He said "I’ve long admired Oliver’s talents, having attempted to bring him to Portsmouth back in 2021. His subsequent transfer to Peterborough in the Championship saw him consistently showcase his abilities, with only an injury halting what could have been a significant move a year later."

Gagliardi went on to elaborate on further characteristics that set Norburn apart. He highlighted Norburn's remarkable skills in leading others and his sharp understanding of strategic manoeuvres. "Ollie is not only effective with the ball at his feet but also exudes a commanding presence on the pitch. His leadership is evident from his history of captaining every team he’s played for," he said.

The veteran's resume boasts over 200 EFL appearances, underscoring the wealth of experience he brings to the club. "His character and experience are invaluable to achieving our immediate goals, and we anticipate Ollie being a pivotal figure for us," Gagliardi added.

Currently recovering from a calf injury sustained during his loan spell at Wigan Athletic last season, Norburn is expected to regain full fitness by early August.

He will be working closely with the club’s medical team ahead of joining the rest of the squad for pre-season training later this month.

Norburn’s footballing journey began in the academies of Chelsea and Leicester, and he went on to make notable appearances in League Two with Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle. A stint in the National League with Guiseley, Macclesfield, and Tranmere Rovers followed, where he played a crucial role in Rovers’ promotion back to the EFL through the play-offs.

His prowess on the pitch drew the eye of John Askey his previous boss at Macclesfield. Askey then brought him to Shrewsbury Town in League One.

Norburn had a really good run for three seasons with his team, where he often took on the role of captain. Then he made the leap to Peterborough in the Championship. He kicked things off pretty well over there and even got to wear the captain's armband for a bit. But then, a knee injury slowed him down and kind of messed up his fast track to success.

In the 2023-24 season, Norburn made his way back to League One with Blackpool and was given the captaincy. He really took charge and kept performing at a top level.

After getting a loan to Wigan Athletic, he got a chance to play more. Unfortunately, his season was pretty rough because of injuries.

Fans of Notts County are really looking forward to seeing how much of an impact Norburn will have next season. The club is determined to secure victories. Norburn boasts an impressive history and strong leadership abilities.

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keep him fit, i am sure he will make a good impact in the team. introducing players who are creative and demonstrate a good level of leadership will help when we have those crucial games where we are playing matches were we might struggle with performance or just getting the result needed. i am very happy with the signing.

NottsTastic

Members

Really pleased with this. Norburn's experience and leadership could be exactly what we've been missing in the middle of the park.

BromPie

Members

I remember seeing Ollie Norburn during his time at Shrewsbury and thought he was the sort of player every team needs, tough, composed, and leads by example. Injuries have been unlucky for him, but his track record speaks for itself.

Over 200 EFL appearances and captaining most clubs he’s been at says a lot about his character. If he can get up to speed in pre-season, I think we’ll see a real difference in the way we control midfield.

Robbie

+Supporters

I'm very pleased with this signing. He's just the type of player that Notts have been missing. He will be a big asset to the Notts side.

He is an aggressive player that will help Notts compete with other physical sides in the Division. And importantly, he's a leader too.

There are concerns about his fitness, however I trust that Notts have done their due diligence on this player & I'm sure he will become a very important player for Notts off the field as well as on it.

NCRichie

Members

Wasn’t sure what to expect this summer, but signing someone like Norburn early gives me a lot of hope. He’s clearly someone Gagliardi rates highly and has been chasing for a while, so that tells me this wasn’t a panic move. We’ve all seen what happens when teams don’t have someone in the middle to steady things, he’s the kind of player who’ll win second balls, shout instructions, and drag others up with him. I hope we give him a proper run in the side once he’s fit, and it would be brilliant to see him mentoring the younger midfielders as well. Could easily see him becoming a fan favourite if he settles in quickly.

Blake

Members

Been crying out for someone with that bit of bite and composure. Could be a key figure next season.

upthepies

Members

Norburn is a seasoned pro who’s seen it all in the lower leagues, and that sort of experience can’t be overstated. He won’t be the flashiest player, but he’ll organise, communicate, and make us harder to break down. It's not just about ability; mentality wins matches too.

Also worth noting he’s worked under good managers and played at Championship level, that experience filters down to the rest of the squad. As long as the calf heals up well, this could be a really positive turning point for us going into the new season.

Ollie Norburn brings grit, leadership, and a calm head in the middle, something we really lacked last season when games got scrappy. I’ve followed his career for a bit and he's the sort who won’t shy away from doing the dirty work, but also has the quality to move us forward. If we can manage his minutes well and avoid more injury setbacks, I’d expect him to be one of the first names on the team sheet. A midfield general like this could make a massive difference over a long campaign, especially in tough away games.

The Heff

Members

Notts are taking a gamble, but there’s no reason it can’t pay off. Some fans on social media are complaining about his injury, but we signed him knowing he was recovering and would soon be back in full training.

You can’t judge a player on past injuries alone, you have to see how they settle in. As a midfielder, he’s exactly the kind of signing we’ve needed. For all we know, he could start as an impact sub until he regains full fitness and sharpness.

B&Wstripes

Members

Signing Ollie Norburn presents a mixed bag of prospects for Notts. On one hand, his track record speaks volumes about his ability to influence play positively from the midfield. On the other, with so many options already available, it’s unclear how he will be integrated into the team structure. The injury concerns are real, but with proper management, they shouldn’t pose too much of a hurdle. It's exciting to think of the defensive robustness and the strategic depth he adds to the squad. Competition within the team, while healthy, must be managed astutely by the coaching staff to harness maximum efficiency.

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