Holt signs new Norwich deal

Norwich City captain Grant Holt has signed a new three-year contract, the English Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old’s future had been the subject of speculation of late after he handed in a transfer request in May, shortly before former boss Paul Lambert was appointed the manager of Aston Villa.

However, the striker has now completed a dramatic u-turn by pledging his future to Norwich until 2015.

The news was confirmed on the club’s website following a press conference on Tuesday, along with the capture of 22-year-old Jacob Butterfield, who has signed a four-year deal with the Norfolk outfit after his contract at Barnsley expired.

New boss Chris Hughton, who was appointed Lambert’s replacement last month, was thrilled to have tied down the striker, telling reporters at Carrow Road: “I said when I first arrived that talking to Grant was a priority as what he has achieved for Norwich and what he brings to the squad is there for all to see.

“It’s great news that he has signed a new contract and I’m really looking forward to getting down to work with Grant and the rest of the players when we return to training next week.”

Holt was delighted to have secured a further three years with the Premier League outfit, telling the club’s website: “I’m really pleased we’ve agreed things and that I’ve got a three-year deal which gives me and my family a bit of security.

“I do appreciate where the club was coming from in terms of the process we’ve gone through to get to this point.

“Now I’m just really keen to concentrate on getting back to work with the rest of the lads and concentrating on having a good pre-season and getting ready for the start of another season in the Premier League.”

Holt was named Norwich Fans’ Player of the Year for the third consecutive season after he finished with 15 goals in his first season in the top flight.

There had been speculation the former Shrewsbury man would not be given a longer-term deal due to his age, but Hughton appears to have been willing to meet the demands of the Canaries talisman in order to keep him at Carrow Road for the foreseeable future.

He will now take part in pre-season training next week with Hughton’s first two signings of the summer – young Butterfield from Barnsley, and Scotland international Steven Whittaker, who has acquired international clearance to play for Norwich after leaving Scottish Premier League giants Rangers.