PON_News

Notts County acquired the services of midfielder Ollie Norburn. He made the move from a superior division. This transfer holds significance for the club. The 31-year-old player has gained a bunch of experience from playing in the Championship and League One. Recently, he was on loan at Wigan Athletic from Blackpool. Despite the prospect of playing in League Two appearing as a regression, Norburn believed the opportunity was far too appealing to decline. Norburn, who's been keeping a close eye on how Notts County is doing and their goals, shared his thoughts openly. "It was a call that came out of the blue but, with me already being aware of Notts’ project and having enjoyed watching them play in recent seasons, it was something I wanted to hear more about," he reflected. Engaging discussions with Roberto Gagliardi and insights into the club's vision, including the development of a new training ground, cemented his decision. "It ticked so many boxes and really excited me," he added with enthusiasm. "There were options to stay in League One, and to be closer to home in the northwest, so it’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly. But the project in place here and the positive energy was something I wanted to be part of." Ollie's gratitude towards the club and its leadership was evident as he expressed, “I’d like to thank Roberto and the owners for the opportunity, and I look forward to giving everything I’ve got towards making this a successful season and helping the club get to where it wants to be.” Known for his hard work and determination in the midfield, Norburn is set to add a fresh energy to the field. People are really looking forward to seeing how he’ll contribute to the team, he stated, "In this league, you’ve got to be able to mix it. It can’t always be pretty. The last few clubs I’ve played for have looked to control games with the ball, but you have to make sure you look after the basics, like winning tackles and second balls, especially when conditions get tough in the middle of the season." Such pragmatic attributes come with experience, and Norburn is eager to impart his seasoned wisdom to the squad. "That comes with experience and know-how – and I’ll be looking to add that to the group, as well as being a leader who brings out the best in those around me." Notts County's dedicated fans have really caught Norburn's eye. As someone who has yet to face Notts in his playing career, he is well aware of the fervent backing the club enjoys from its fans. "The fanbase is another big pulling factor in me coming here. I know the Notts fans turn up in their numbers home and away, and it’ll be good to put smiles on their faces with hopefully a positive season to come." The Pride of Nottingham is excited to welcome Norburn! His arrival brings a lot of hope for Notts County as they aim to do well and improve in the upcoming season. Continue the discussion regarding the arrival of midfielder Ollie Norburn and have your say on the Pride of Nottingham, with 26 replies as of this message. NottsCountyKev praises Notts County on its recent release of the popular 90s retro kit. Join in the discussion and have your say!

Notts County has acquired the services of Maziar Kouhyar the Afghanistan international player. He has officially put pen to paper on a one-year contract. The club can choose to extend it for another year if they want. The 27-year-old forward is joining Meadow Lane as a free agent after having an impactful season with Kidderminster Harriers. He really stood out last year, scoring 13 goals and grabbing 12 assists. Kouhyar's path to professional football in Britain is truly motivating. His family departed Afghanistan in 1999 to escape the Taliban, which was a significant transition. He subsequently achieved a milestone by becoming the initial Afghan-born player to enter professional football in the UK, playing for Walsall in League One. Just when things were going well and his contract was almost up, he ran into a serious injury that really threw a wrench in things. It was a tough time for him, but Kouhyar has done an awesome job bouncing back and is now working on rebuilding his career in the non-league scene. Roberto Gagliardi, Notts County’s Head of Football, expressed his enthusiasm about the new signing: “Maziar’s life story and career are filled with examples of tremendous bravery, perseverance, and determination. We are thrilled to give him another chance at EFL football.” Kouhyar was first highlighted by Notts' data model, identifying him as a standout player within a robust Kidderminster side. “Having had the chance to observe him while monitoring our loanee Ryley Reynolds, it became clear that Maziar possesses both elegance and skill on the ball," said Gagliardi. "He offers a legitimate threat in the final third, whether out wide or in central positions, as evidenced by his impressive double-figure haul of goals and assists last season.” Gagliardi added, “We’re confident that with the momentum behind him, Maziar will successfully adjust to League Two, and we anticipate collaborating with him during this thrilling new phase of his career.” Before this chapter, Kouhyar kicked off his pro career with Walsall after coming up through the youth ranks at Coventry City. He got to play 21 times in League One and even scored his first EFL goal. Sadly, he hit a rough patch when an injury sidelined him for quite a while. His tenacious comeback began with a National League North opportunity at Hereford, a move which saw him eventually join York City. There, Kouhyar became a fan favourite, helping the team to National League promotion and ensuring their stability thereafter. His professional journey gained momentum after a temporary stint at Hereford. However, the 2024-25 campaign with Kidderminster proved pivotal as he showcased his exceptional abilities and left an indelible mark. Kouhyar has played for the Afghanistan national team on 10 occasions. He recently joined the squad for a training camp and even featured in a match against Syria. The new signing highlights Kouhyar's career progression. It provides a reason for Notts County supporters to feel enthusiastic. People anticipate seeing his impact on matches. The Pride of Nottingham community has been discussing the arrival of Mazier Kouhyar; head into the discussion and share your own thoughts on the signing. Check our popular "Topic Feed" page, where you can instantly join in with all of our forum topics and even start your own! Join in with PON.

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. Read about what fans think of the arrival of Notts County's latest signing, midfielder Ollie Nurborn. Join in the conversation over in our community forum! 🤔 McPie has asked what fans think is the reason for the delay in Notts' announcement of the arrival of the new head coach. What are your thoughts?

Notts County have added to their midfield options by bringing in Tom Iorpenda on loan from Huddersfield Town for the entire season. Iorpenda is a promising young player who is highly regarded at his parent club. The 20-year-old player joins Meadow Lane with an increasing reputation. He received Huddersfield's Academy Player of the Season award in 2023. After this achievement, the West Yorkshire club offered him a new four-year contract. This shows how highly they value him. Iorpenda is a tall and athletic player, measuring 6 feet 3 inches. He brings energy and can play various midfield roles. Iorpenda made his senior debut in an important FA Cup match against Manchester City. Since then, he has played 15 times for the first team of Huddersfield Town. Notts's Football Chief Roberto Gagliardi voiced his delight at acquiring the young player's talents for the forthcoming season. “Tom is a dynamic, box-to-box midfielder with solid technique and a strong footballing education, having come through the systems at both Brighton and Huddersfield,” said Gagliardi. “He’s been involved regularly with Huddersfield’s senior squad over the past two seasons, although a back injury around Christmas unfortunately stalled his progress last term. However, he returned to fitness in time to feature towards the end of the season, including a substitute appearance against Leyton Orient. “He’ll be fit and ready for pre-season later this month, and we’re really looking forward to helping him continue his development in a competitive environment. “He has all the traits you’d associate with a modern midfielder – mobility, strength, technical ability and an eye for the game. Following the success of George Abbott’s loan spell last season, we’re delighted to bring in another promising young talent with a bright future.” At first, Iorpenda played as a winger in Brighton's academy. He then changed to midfield when he joined Huddersfield in 2021. Moving positions has worked well for him. The player has improved a lot in recent years. He initially experienced senior football through a loan period at Hyde United. This provided him with valuable experience in the men's game. Afterwards, he re-joined Huddersfield and played against Manchester City in January 2024. Subsequently, he made appearances in the Championship against Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town. The trips helped set the stage for bigger roles. The young player will aim to progress further during his stint in Nottingham. Supporters of Notts County football club will want Iorpenda to perform well. They hope he can match the success of last year's loan players. His contribution may assist the Magpies in making progress during the upcoming season. 👍🏻 Head over to the Pride of Nottingham community forum to have your say, and to join in with other fans as we discuss the news of the signing of Tom Iorpenda. 🏃🏻 Join the discussion regarding the latest news that Notts County will be working with the University of Nottingham and Highfield's facilities as our training ground.