Norwich City: David Wagner's tribute to outgoing Teemu Pukki

The Finnish international rejected the Canaries' offer to extend his stay at Carrow Road in pursuit of a fresh challenge upon the expiration of his current deal in June. 

Pukki, who ranks fourth in the club's all-time goalscoring list, has received plenty of praise and respect from Norwich supporters and the wider footballing world after the news was confirmed by the club on Wednesday afternoon.

Wagner sat down at Colney just two hours later and told the Pink Un his thoughts on the news of Pukki's impending City departure. 

"It's big news for all of us, even if it wasn't really news for me," Wagner said. "I think Teemu is a great player, a goalscorer and a great striker. He has made and is making his legacy here. 

"He is a really good person as well. It's been an absolute pleasure for every manager but also for me as well to work with him. He's such a good character to have in your dressing room and also on the grass as well. 

"He deserves all the credit and praise that he gets and I totally respect his decision that he likes to search for a new experience and a new challenge. I think we all together should (respect it). Hopefully, this story finds an end that Teemu deserves."

Pukki has netted 88 goals in yellow and green since arriving on a free transfer from Danish side Brondby back in 2018. 

Beyond that sizeable haul of goals, what has impressed is the longevity, consistency and availability that the 33-year-old has displayed throughout his Norwich career. 

That has helped the Finn win plaudits and awards aplenty, even in times when City have struggled or been relegated from the top-flight. 

David Wagner has paid tribute to Teemu Pukki. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"Five years in football is a long, long time to play consistently and score goals consistently at such a high level," City's boss said. 

"It's not just about him as a player; it's about him as a person - that is as important as judging him as a player.

"To have someone like him in the dressing room where you can have conversations and he is calm, very reflective and understands football makes it an absolute pleasure to work with the human and player that he is."

Wagner believes that the announcement will provide clarity for the club, Pukki and even himself to prevent distractions in their final matches of the campaign. 

City's boss has been aware of Pukki's decision since the early weeks of his reign as head coach. 

"To be fair, I don't know how the players reacted," he said. "We were on the grass when the news came out.

READ MORE: Teemu Pukki - a man for all seasons

"To be honest, I have known it more or less for a long period. There was never really a question mark for me about what Teemu will do in the future.

"Now it is official and announced I think it's good for him, for us and for everyone so he doesn't get permanently asked questions and can concentrate on the final games and his game.

"Even if it is normal business for me as a manager, I won't get asked questions like this even if I have to say that I've known that he is searching for something new for a long time."

Pukki still has seven games - potentially more if Norwich can finish in the Championship's top six - to play in yellow and green with a renewed sense of purpose to conclude this chapter of his career on a high. 

That was a factor in the decision to announce Pukki's impending departure at this juncture - despite it being the business time of the Championship season. 

"This is his aim and our aim as well. We want to finish this story on a high. Nobody knows if it will happen but I think the clarity that we all together have can help to get everybody focussed on what is now important," Wagner said.

Teemu Pukki has a minimum of seven matches left in a Norwich City shirt. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"To be fair, this was one of the reasons why we said 'come on, let's announce it', so our supporters have the chance to give Teemu a tribute and so that he can really enjoy the last games home and away and get the right applause and honour. 

"This is why we decided it has to be more than just the last home game of the season for a player like him and what he has done for this football club. If we had the chance to do it, let's do it and that is why we agreed to do it now.

"Even if, and Teemu has said this as well, it's still game on and an interesting part of the season. We are all looking forward to the final games of the season."