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Mark Attanasio admitted he was ‘humbled’ by the backing of Norwich City supporters to lead the Canaries into a new era – and pledged funds are available for the January transfer window. The US businessman was in attendance on Wednesday night at the annual shareholders ' meeting for the first time since Norfolk Holdings took de facto control of the club. Attanasio’s group had a £58m debt-to-equity plan, agreed by former majority owners Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones , rubber-stamped recently by ordinary shareholders.
The Milwaukee Brewers’ principal owner revealed he had discussed January transfer plans with sporting director Ben Knapper on his current Norfolk trip. “There is absolutely money in the budget for January,” he said. “We have to keep it in the profit and sustainability rules, and to support Ben’s recommendations.
Myself and my son had a two hour meeting with him and Neil (Adams) on Tuesday, and we discussed it again at a board meeting. "I would say what Ben would like to do in terms of January is very much aligned with the finances we have in place. “I want to thank all the shareholders.
I was immensely gratified there was 99pc support for this process. It is very humbling. Not only the confidence shown in me but Delia and Michael, who went out of their way to bring me into the club and deliver it in a selfless manner.
They use the words ‘custodian’, I use the word ‘steward’. "There will be another caretaker at some point, but the supporters are the constant, like Delia and Michael. “When I bought the Milwaukee Brewers I made four pledges, back in 2005.
One was to have a perennially competitive team, one was to provide a great fan experience, one was for this to be a great place to work and, fourthly, a focus for the club in the community. I will pledge to provide the best for the fans.” Sporting director Knapper confirmed on Wednesday night he is on the same page as Attanasio, ahead of January’s transfer window, to support Johannes Hoff Thorup’s injury-hit squad.
“Mark and I have discussed this situation and if opportunities present themselves that align with our strategy we will be alive to them,” said Knapper, who also revealed discussions are on-going with Borja Sainz’s representatives over a longer term Carrow Road deal. “But it tends to be a reactive market in January, and we won’t dive into something that doesn’t align with our medium to long term strategy. "What I would say is one of the slight silver linings around our injuries at present is none are long term.
We expect them all back by January. Of course we don’t know what happens between now and then and we will review it." Director Tom Smith chaired the meeting and in his opening remarks led a round of applause from shareholders in attendance for Smith and Wynn Jones’ more than 50 years of combined service to the club.
Executive director Zoe Webber later indicated talks are on-going to mark their three decades as club figureheads..
