George Long has completed a permanent transfer from Norwich City to Southampton, giving Philippe Clement another clean squad line to manage before the 2026/27 Championship campaign.
Norwich confirmed the goalkeeper’s exit after his season-long loan at St Mary’s, wishing him well after three years connected to the club.
Southampton announced that the 32-year-old has signed a two-year contract through to 2028.
Long Move Sharpens Clement’s Norwich Picture
Long’s departure is not the headline-grabbing part of Norwich’s summer, but it still matters.
The Canaries have already moved quickly in the window, and removing a senior goalkeeper from the wage bill gives the recruitment team one less unresolved contract to carry into pre-season.
For Clement, the benefit is clarity. Norwich need a tight goalkeeping structure behind their first-choice option, especially with pre-season fixtures and the Carabao Cup now sitting close together in the August calendar.
Long joined Norwich from Millwall in 2023 and made 24 appearances across all competitions before spending last season with Southampton.
The Saints said he made one first-team appearance during their FA Cup run and had been a valued member of their goalkeeping group.
The wider message for Norwich is obvious: Clement’s rebuild is being trimmed as well as strengthened.
With Long now settled elsewhere, the club can focus attention on the players who will actually shape the promotion push.
