Van Wolfswinkel delighted with Norwich deal

Norwich City signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel believes his move to Carrow Road from Sporting Lisbon will prove the perfect next step in his career.

The two clubs agreed a reported 10-million euro deal for the Dutchman on Friday, with the 24-year-old set to link up with his new team-mates ahead of the 2013/14 season.

Van Wolfswinkel, who operates primarily as a striker, joined Sporting in 2011 from Eredivisie side Utrecht and has scored 14 goals this season after bagging 25 in the previous campaign.

“It has always been a dream of mine to play in England and in the Premier League and I’m even more excited that I can hopefully fulfil that dream at such a great club like Norwich City,” he told the club’s website.

“Joining Norwich City is the perfect next step in my career. It’s a realistic club with great people both at the club and in the city.

“I think this is the club for me and I hope to help them in every way I can. They have lots of ambition and I’ll be delighted to be a part of that.”

Norwich look to be heading for Premier League safety again after winning promotion under Paul Lambert and van Wolfswinkel believes they can push on under manager Chris Hughton.

“First of all, this is a club with great ambitions to become the team that they have been in the past in the top flight,” he said.

“The idea that I can be a part of that progress at the club, working with such great people, was enough for me to make what in the end was an easy decision.

“This is the sort of club I need at this moment in my career.”