Sporting Van Wolfswinkel looking forward to Norwich switch

Sporting Lisbon forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel revealed he eagerly anticipates the Premier League swoop this summer as Sporting have agreed £8 million transfer fee with Norwich for the player.

The 24-year-old Netherlands international has signed a four-year contract and is said to be relishing the next step in his career.

Norwich are currently sitting comfortably in the 12th Premier League spot and, with eight games to go, appear to be in a good position to retain the top-flight status this season. Van Wolfswinkel believes his signing confirms the club’s ambitions to break into top-half next season. He said: “The club is in the middle of the table and very ambitious, this summer they will be debt free and will get on strong. The plan is also to bring in an attacking midfielder and two wide players this summer. With that, Norwich can look to play in the top half of the table. That a club would spend so much money, in these times, shows their faith in me. I have been to Norwich to look around and spoken to the manager and chief executive over their plans for the future.”

“I don’t know much about Norwich, but the city and the club surprised me - the stadium has 25,000 (capacity) and there are 5,000 fans on a waiting list for (season) tickets on top of that which shows the status of the club. I had a good talk with the manager, Chris Hughton. He was very specific about my qualities and wants to build a strong team around him. That gives good trust. I want to play as high as possible, but also in a team where there is a lot of perspective - that is what Norwich City has, and that is why I have signed there for four years,” he added.