As Christoph Zimmermann celebrates his 28th birthday today, we’ve taken a look back on some of his key moments from his time with the Canaries!
Arrival and a debut
Signing in June 2017, Zimmermann was the third German player Daniel Farke had recruited in his first transfer window at City. He recruited Zimmermann from his previous club, Borussia Dortmund II.
Before the move, Zimmermann considered hanging up his boots to pursue a career as a teacher, but Farke convinced the defender otherwise as he gave it another shot at Norwich.
Having managed Zimmermann before, it’s no surprise that the centre-half slot right into the plans of Farke for their first competitive match with the Canaries, a 1-1 draw to Fulham at Craven Cottage the result.
The first clean sheet
Zimmermann wouldn’t have to wait long to earn his first clean sheet with the Canaries, the accolade coming in just his third game against Queens Park Rangers at Carrow Road.
Having picked up the best rating of the three central defenders against the Hoops according to Whoscored.com, Zimmermann was already making a worthwhile impression for the Canaries as he put in the defensive shift to help earn City their first three points of the 2017-2018 season.
Contribution at the other end of the pitch
Whilst the first clean sheet came quickly, Zimmermann would have to wait until February 2018 to score his first goal for the Canaries, but it proved to be an important one that was well worth the wait!
Facing league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, City went two goals down 25 minutes in, after Jamal Lewis was forced to turn into his own net and Alfred N’Diaye nodded the ball past Michael McGovern in a Wolves set-piece.
Just two minutes later, Zimmerr got his own back on Wolves, replicating N’Diaye’s goal at the other end of the pitch and powerfully turning James Maddison’s corner past ex-Canary John Ruddy.
Despite the great finish with the header, some fans may better remember this game for when Zimmermann made a last-ditch tackle on Morgan Gibbs-White with his head!
Whilst Nelson Oliveira’s 93rd-minute equaliser would grab the headlines for that game, it was Zimmermann’s goal that kept the Canaries in it, before the centre-half went on to put a defensive shift in!
A title-winning campaign and top-flight experiences
In just his second season with the club, Zimmermann became a key-player for City in the Championship winning season, missing just six games throughout the campaign, ending the season with lifting the title at Villa Park.
Making his Premier League debut at London Stadium in City’s 2-0 loss to West Ham United just months later, Zimmermann went on to captain the Canaries in the top-flight after coming back from a lengthy injury.
Having made just over 100 appearances for City and well into his fourth-season, the defender truly has seen it all in his time in Norfolk as he’s become a senior figure to look up to in the Canaries first-team.