Moritz Leitner has admitted being part of Norwich City’s Championship promotion charge has made him fall in love again with football.

The 26-year-old was tempted to England to link up with Daniel Farke, after frustrating spells with Stuttgart, Lazio and Augsburg.

The former German Under-21 international captain was tipped for the very top, when Jurgen Klopp brought him to Borussia Dortmund in his teens, but Leitner owes Farke a huge debt for giving him a real shot at the Premier League.

“It is no secret that I had difficult times. But that is in the past for me. Here in Norwich it started at zero,” he said. “And when the fans cheered me the first time I touched the ball, I knew: ‘Here I am in the right place.’ That was an incredible moment.

“That’s what I live and play football for. The people here did not care why it did not work out here and there before.

“It was just important that I give everything. Not which car I drive or which clothes I wear.

”Daniel and I already knew each other from Dortmund. He knew exactly how I tick. We are a good team, we can talk together, sometimes about things other than football. And most importantly, we have the same idea of football. I love how we play.

“That’s exactly my way. And that’s why I’m so happy here.”

Leitner, speaking to German football magazine Kicker, rates Farke highly and knows his compatriot will ensure there is no complacency from the Championship leaders after the international break.

“The Premier League is a big goal for all of us. In order to achieve this goal, we must be totally focused in the last games and continue at full throttle,” said Leitner. “We have to work hard for every victory.

“But I’m not worried that we could ease off for the final sprint. Should that unlikely event happen, we would still have the boss, as we call the coach here.

“He would instantly reinstate the right attitude to us.

“In my opinion, he is a great coach who has made the most from the possibilities here so far. He is making each of his players and the team overall better.

“It’s been an incredible season so far. Even reaching the play-offs would be a sensation that we would not have expected before the season.

“We are a team - and that’s the way it works. You can feel that we are just having fun this season.

“Everybody gives everything for this club and that is rewarded by our fans. And we play good football you like to watch.”