Paddy Davitt Norwich City's new keeper John Ruddy admitted yesterday it was a 'no brainer' to join the Canaries.The 23-year-old St Ives-bred stopper is relishing the chance to replace players' player-of-the-year Fraser Forster after calling time on his Premiership career with Everton.

Paddy Davitt

Norwich City's new keeper John Ruddy admitted yesterday it was a 'no brainer' to join the Canaries.

The 23-year-old St Ives-bred stopper is relishing the chance to replace players' player-of-the-year Fraser Forster after calling time on his Premiership career with Everton.

“As soon as I realised the situation with Fraser it was a no brainer,” said Ruddy. “I made sure my agent was on the case every day because it is a massive club. It might be slightly unfair to say but unless you are from around this area you probably don't realise just how big a set up is here for it to be a Premiership club - and I believe we can achieve that ambition.

“You can sense a good feeling still around the place from last season and that was a massive achievement to win the league, especially after what happened at the start of the season. To turn it around and be so consistent means the basis was already there. I think we can achieve anything we want to because the club has brought in some good players, the manager is ambitious and we can get another promotion. Really, it's in our hands.”

Ruddy is adamant dropping into the Championship marks a step forward in his career after a string of loan spells culminating in a successful stint at Motherwell.

“No, I don't see it as a step down,” he said. “I played a season in the SPL and the worst thing for me would have been to go back to Everton and sit and do nothing. I need to be getting 40, 50 games a season under my belt for the next few years to get that consistency which enables me to be a level I feel I should be at.

“Playing every week is a different mentality. I used to go training at Everton and have nothing to work towards because there was no game on a Saturday. I've settled in brilliantly, training has gone well and the lads have made me feel welcome so I can't wait to get the season started. At my age and my time of life I just want to play and there are also family reasons. I have a young son who needs to settle down and start school and nursery so coming from St Ives this was too good an opportunity.”

Ruddy bears no grudge towards former Toffees' mentor David Moyes after being restricted to one senior outing at Goodison Park in a five-year spell.

“Maybe at the time he signed me with potential in mind but I wasn't given a chance or perhaps he didn't feel I warranted a chance,” said Ruddy. “That was his decision to make. I know I went in every day and worked 100 per cent and if you ask all the players and Chris Woods the goalkeeping coach they would say the same. Don't get me wrong, it was a fantastic spell. I loved it at Everton and made some great friends but coming here enables me to push on.”