--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-26T09:41:58.038Z last_updated: 2026-07-26T06:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/norwich-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWRwMjQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvMjYyOTgxNjEubWFyYy1saWJicmEtbm9yd2ljaC1jaXR5LXNpZ25pbmctZml6emxlZC8_cmVmPXJzcw --- # Marc Libbra - Norwich City - **Source:** - **Published:** 26 Jul - **Club:** Norwich City - **Original URL:** https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/26298161.marc-libbra-norwich-city-signing-fizzled/?ref=rss Marc Libbra’s journey to Carrow Road a quarter of a century ago was tortuous, to say the least. The French striker was on the books of Toulouse and wanted by Hibs, where he had spent a successful loan spell. Even though the French club had slipped into bankruptcy and administration, they couldn’t agree a deal - enabling Norwich to jump in. Sort of. Libbra came in on a fortnight’s trial at the beginning of July 2001, his first appearance in City colours in an 8-1 win at Fakenham Town where he scored a hat-trick. City wanted to sign him, but Libbra’s wages were a worry - and Celtic began sniffing around. Eventually, he chose Norfolk, thanks to the persistence of then chairman Bob Cooper. “The main reason why I chose Norwich over Celtic is because Bob Cooper came over to France personally and I thought that was a great honour,” said Libbra. “Bob Cooper took the trouble to explain the club’s ambitions and talked about the ground and the city and that greatly influenced my decision to join Norwich. “Bob Cooper told me that if I came and worked hard I would have a real opportunity to play in the first team and that was not the case at Celtic. “Norwich is a club still trying to recruit players and it is an ambitious club trying to get back into the Premiership. “When I was talking with Bob Cooper and the coach they persuaded me it was a club that wanted to go places.” Eventually, he signed a three-year deal on July 27. A couple of friendly games came and went and still the deal wasn’t absolutely signed, sealed and delivered. Toulouse’s financial problems dragged it out, as did the need for international clearance. Eventually, just days before the start of the new season, it was sorted – the French Football Federation ruled that Toulouse players were all free agents, given the club no longer actually existed. Everything was set for Libbra to make his debut on the opening day, but he had to pull out of the squad after his father-in-law died. His debut came a week later – August 18 - against Manchester City. It was a day to remember. On 74 minutes, Libbra replaced Iwan Roberts. Off he trotted towards the visitors’ penalty area. He was perfectly placed when Phil Mulryne’s free-kick was flicked on by Zema Abbey. Libbra flicked the ball over the head of defender Steve Howey with his right foot and then, from 15 yards, slid it past keeper Carlo Nash with his left to put City ahead, Paul McVeigh wrapping up a 2-0 win in the final minute. The time between stepping on to the turf and the ball crossing the goal line was 11 seconds. It was the quickest by any Canaries debutant since the war – and almost certainly before the war too. The 11-second effort beat previous record holder Alan Woan, who scored after three minutes of his Norwich debut, against Northampton Town on April 19 1954. Post-match Libbra opened up on a difficult week. “My father-in-law died this week and I would like to dedicate this goal to him,” he said. “It was a very good goal as well – one of the best I have ever scored. I was extremely happy with it. “Last week was very hard for me – one of the worst times of my life. But that is all behind me now and I just want to give 100 per cent to the team.” A week later Libbra scored the winner in the 89th minute at Wimbledon, but it the dream start was probably as good as it gets. In total he scored seven goals in 17 starts and 17 appearances from the bench. By the end of the season he had fallen down the pecking order behind the likes of Roberts, Abbey and McVeigh. His last involvement as a Norwich City player was the final game of the season, when he was an unused sub in the play-off final defeat against Birmingham. On August 30, Libbra and Norwich City parted company by mutual agreement. “After one season at the football club, much to my disappointment things have not worked out for Marc in the way we might have hoped,” said manager Nigel Worthington. “We felt it was in the best interest of both parties to come to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.” And with that, the sudden impact man had gone because the early fireworks fizzled out.