Ireland under 21 striker Adam Idah promoted to Norwich City first team and handed four-year contract

Ireland under-21 striker Adam Idah has been awarded a new four-year contract and promoted to the first team at Norwich City as the Corkman’s upward trajectory continues.

Idah scored twice as Ireland advanced to the final four of the Toulon Tournament last month and dispatched a penalty in the shoot-out defeat to Mexico in the third-place play-off.

That came after two goals on his under-21 debut in March helped Stephen Kenny’s side to a 3-0 victory over Luxembourg in their opening Euro 2021 qualifier.

It’s been plain sailing for Idah on the club front, too, since he made the move from College Corinthians in 2017 and he netted 13 times for the Canaries’ under-23s last season.

The 18-year-old was in contention for a place in Tom Mohan’s squad for the Euros in Armenia but is held in sufficiently high regard by his club that he’ll fly to the club’s pre-season camp in Germany.

Norwich will play Bundesliga II side Arminia Bielefeld and Bundesliga club Schalke 04 while training in manager Daniel Farke's home country.

“I’m delighted to sign a new deal here. The moment they offered me a new contract, I knew straight away that I wanted to sign it," he told the Canaries' official website.

“I’ve loved every minute here so I’m delighted. My form last season was great and I’ve worked very hard to get myself to where I am now.

“There are lots of people who have helped me. The staff have been great to me and even through the tougher times, they’ve helped me through it.”

Idah was informed on his return from France that he’d be included in the first-team squad and, later, it was confirmed he would remain there for the pre-season camp and possibly the Premier League.

“After Toulon, I got given the news that I would be training with the first-team. I was told it would be for the first few days but the other day, I was told it would be permanently.

“I’ve definitely had to pinch myself at points. A week ago, when I was at home and packing my bags to come here, it didn’t seem real.

“Coming into the changing room a couple of days ago was surreal, but I’m very happy to be back now.”