Norwich City boss Peter Grant confirmed his first signing of the summer with Jon Otsemobor set to join the Canaries on July 1 on a Bosman deal.The 24-year-old has passed a medical and agreed personal terms whilst also putting pen-to-paper on a three-year deal at Carrow Road.
Norwich City boss Peter Grant confirmed his first signing of the summer with Jon Otsemobor set to join the Canaries on July 1 on a Bosman deal.
The 24-year-old has passed a medical and agreed personal terms whilst also putting pen-to-paper on a three-year deal at Carrow Road.
The former Liverpool trainee is set to join up with his new team-mates when pre-season training starts early next month.
Grant said he is delighted to have secured the 24-year-old's signature: “I'm very pleased to get this one sorted as he is one that we have been watching for some time.
“He is strong, athletic and quick and is a very good, young defender. He still has a lot to learn of course but it's no surprise to me he was in the League One team of the year.”
Otsemobor, who is a former England Under-21 international, started his career as a trainee with Liverpool and it is this football education, which was continued at Crewe under Dario Gradi, that has convinced Grant to make a move for the player.
“He is comfortable on the ball as you'd expect from a player who learned his trade at Liverpool and played a lot of games at Crewe, where Dario Gradi always encourages attractive football.
“He is versatile and as well as full-back can play as centre-back or as part of a defensive three. Of course he knows he's still got some learning to do and he's going to be in there competing for a first team place with everyone else, but I'm delighted to add a player of his quality to the squad.
“I'm sure the fans will like him when they see him play, and hopefully he will be a major asset to the club for many years to come.”
Otsemobor had loan spells at Hull City and Bolton in his Anfield days before making a permanent move to Rotherham in July 2005.
He then joined Crewe in the January 2006 transfer window where he caught Grant's eye and earned a slot in the League One team of the year.
The right side of defence was a problematic position for Grant last season with midfielder Andy Hughes finishing the season there. However, Otsemobor's signing should give the City boss the regular right-back that he didn't have the luxury to call upon last season.
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