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Norwich City: New signing Jack Stacey profiled after free transfer
The 27-year-old continued his journey by signing for Norwich City on Wednesday after the expiration of his contract at Bournemouth.
His journey to this point has involved taking steps backwards in order to propel himself forward – that is the aim as he targets a second Championship promotion in 2023/24.
Stacey began his career in Reading’s academy back in 2004 at eight years old. The Bracknell-born full-back began life in the game as an attacking midfielder who enjoyed being creative and scoring goals.
Martin Kuhl was his youth coach at Reading and was the first person to suggest Stacey’s development would be better served as a full back.
“Jack was a skinny little number 10 with loads of ability,” Kuhl told the Bournemouth Echo in 2019.
“He was very, very highly-rated. Then he had a growth spurt where the club were a little bit concerned. He got really tall with big feet.
“I just said to them, put him right-back. I just thought it would give him a little bit more time.
“Then he kicked on from there, started to get fit and the one thing he does do is he can run for fun. Bundles of ability, bundles of enthusiasm and a really nice lad.
“He’s very quiet, doesn’t say a lot but he’s very effective in the way he plays in possession.”
Stacey made just six appearances during his time with the Royals – his professional debut arrived as a late substitute in a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town in December 2013.
A broken ankle on the final day of the 2014-15 season halted his early progression at the Madejeski Stadium and he was forced out on loan in pursuit of game time.
His first spell away came at Barnet on a short-term loan. He made just two appearances before joining fellow League Two sides Carlisle and impressing at Exeter before Reading took the ruthless decision to sell Stacey to Luton – a move that he has subsequently reflected on with surprise.
It was at Luton, under Nathan Jones’ stewardship, that he found a real consistency as a full back having flittered in between defence and midfield prior to his move to Kenilworth Road.
Stacey formed part of the Luton side that achieved successive promotions from League Two and League One under the Welshman.
“When I was younger Jamie Carragher said ‘nobody grows up wanting to be a Gary Neville’ because nobody wanted to be a full-back,” Stacey told the Guardian in 2020.
“I went to Luton [playing] in the diamond formation and everything clicked; there was a massive emphasis on full-backs going forward, trying to create and doing the defensive side. I think that was the start of me being able to play in the Premier League.”
A run in that position coupled with Jones’ playing style helped Stacey thrive – prompting plenty of speculation and individual accolades. He was awarded with the Hatters’ Young Player of the Season award in 2016/17 and won the Player of the Season award a year later for his progress in their third-tier winning side.
That tempted Bournemouth into spending £4 million for his services in July 2019 – a jump from League One to the Premier League, which is rare for any player to make.
Eddie Howe was convinced of Stacey’s potential and praised his work rate as he adapted seamlessly – making 19 top-flight appearances in his first season at Dean Court.
“He is one of those players you have to take off the training ground,” Howe said back in February 2020.
“He wants to be out there all the time. He wants to improve. He’s got that mindset that he has never done enough and I love that about him.
“That’s why he’s adapted so quickly to the level. He has made improvements in all areas in his attacking side, his use of the ball, his defending – which he had to do.
“Coming from League One is a big jump and he would have felt that initially.
“But I think now he’s feeling like a Premier League player, which he is in right and I now see a very bright future ahead of him.”
He went on to make 98 appearances for the Cherries – including 27 in their Championship promotion-winning campaign under Scott Parker and 10 times in this as they fought against the drop in the Premier League.
Injuries halted his progress throughout his time in Dorset, preventing him from kicking on in the manner that many predicted after he joined the Cherries.
“He’s good for people to look at because he was highly rated,” Kuhl said. He’s had injuries and he’s come through and he’s gone down the leagues just to play men’s football, which is important and great credit to him.
“He never lost faith in himself and he’s not one to shout and rant and rave, but he just gets on with the job. He’s effective at what he does.”
Stacey will once again have to display determination as he embarks on a fresh chapter at Carrow Road.
After seeing his time at Bournemouth, one littered with injuries and latterly limited game time, Stacey has it all to prove at Norwich once again. Given Max Aarons’ likely exit this summer, the 27-year-old is likely to have a free run at the first-team spot.
Norwich have monitored his progress for a prolonged period – that has ramped up since David Wagner arrived at the club. The feeling is his profile and characteristics will fit with what the German wants to implement at Carrow Road.
Stacey shares Norwich’s ambitions of getting back to the Premier League – now the battle begins to prove people wrong again.
