Canaries confirm defender has been released

Raggett had spoken in recent days about being unsure as to whether he was still a City player following the completion of a season on loan in League One with Portsmouth, which ended in play-off semi-final disappointment this month.

The 26-year-old was a regular for Pompey and his Canaries deal was due to expire at the end of June, although there was an option for a further 12 months in his deal.

The centre-back joined Norwich in 2017 after reports that he had a £350,000 release clause in his contract, having helped the Imps earn promotion to the Football League and to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals earlier that year, heading the winner in a 1-0 cup upset away to Premier League side Burnley in the fifth round.

He initially remained with Lincoln in League Two, before returning to his parent club to fight for his place in Daniel Farke’s team in January 2018, making two brief Championship appearances as a substitute during the second half of 2017-18.

Sean Raggett only made two brief appearances for Norwich City as a substitute Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

Raggett was named as a substitute for 11 matches but only came on with a minute remaining during a 1-0 win at Bristol City and with nine minutes left of a 5-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on the final day, never getting to make a Carrow Road appearance.

After an injury-hit loan stint at Rotherham last season, he got his career back on track with 38 appearances in all competitions for Portsmouth.

A statement from City simply confirmed that his playing contract had officially come to an end, concluding: “All at Norwich City wish Sean well in his future career.”

The tall centre-back revealed earlier this week that he had spoken to Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett and that he was interested in a potential return to Fratton Park, but that he was keeping his options open as he wanted to play at the highest level possible.