The USMNT star expressed pride in his personal development after being named Norwich City's Player of the Season for the 2024/25 season
Sargent ended 2024-25 Championship season with 15 goalsAmerican credits consistent playing time for dramatic improvementAward comes despite midseason groin surgeryGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Josh Sargent was presented with Norwich City's Player of the Season award following an impressive campaign in which he scored 15 goals. That was despite missing 14 matches due to a groin injury that required surgery. The American forward opened up about the physical and mental challenges he faced over the course of his career and admitted that he’s honored to be given the Player of the Season award.
“Very good,” Sargent told Norwich City’s Grant Holt when asked how being Player of the Season sounds. “Very happy, I’m obviously extremely honored to be able to have this award, so very happy. I dealt with the same thing last season [injuries and knocks] as well, never easy getting injured like that, but to be fair, I’ve done a good job of getting myself in a position where I do get back from injury to hit the ground running.
“So huge credit to all the physios and medical team for getting me in that position, but I think I responded really well, got back hit the ground running, scoring goals again and yeah, I’ve done a good job.”
Sargent also opened up about replacing Teemu Pukki after struggling to establish himself as a first choice when he first arrived, while also playing out of position.
“Yeah, I think when I first got here it was a difficult situation, you know I was playing out on the right wing and I’m never going to say no to playing that position in the Prem. I think I was also young and not as developed as I am now, still obviously have a long way to go but for sure I think I’m a different player now compared to when I first came here.”
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The USMNT international also opened up about his struggles for minutes when he first arrived and how his situation has changed since becoming a starter.
“Yeah I think anybody would say when you come on for 15-20 minutes, you have to do something and it’s kind of like ‘OK the next person gets the chance or whatever’ but definitely these last two seasons of getting consistent minutes, playing striker that’s definitely developed my game and helped me gain a lot more confidence in my game and the goals are kinda flowing now,” Sargent explained.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Since arriving from Werder Bremen in 2021, Sargent's development trajectory has been remarkable. After struggling with just two goals in his debut Premier League season, he has transformed into Norwich's offensive centerpiece with 44 goals across three Championship campaigns. That includes 13 goals in the 2022-23 season, 16 in the 2023-24 season, and 15 in an injury-hit 2024-25 season.
WHAT’S NEXT?
With the 2024-25 Championship season over for Norwich City, Sargent’s focus will be on the future as rumors have indicated that several clubs from across Europe are interested in his services.
