Academy starlet Todd Cantwell is setting his sights on a loan move after making the substitutes bench for Norwich City for two recent Championship games.
The 19-year-old playmaker grew up in Dereham, has been in City’s academy system since the age of 11 and supported the club as a youngster.
After scoring two goals in nine games for City’s under-23s this season, Cantwell was rewarded with a place on the bench during the recent Carrow Road games against Hull and Wolves.
“I want to move on to a first team environment now and really push myself. Going out on loan is something that’s definitely been spoken about,” he said, in an interview for City’s matchday programme.
“For me as a number 10, it’s all about getting the right loan. There are not many teams who have the right style for my position nowadays and being here and training with these guys is going to be better for me.
“If the right loan comes up, it’ll definitely be something that myself and the club will think about.”
Cantwell is yet to make his senior debut but is training with the first team and was pleased to take another step in his development when he was named in the squad for the 1-1 draw with Hull.
“I was training with the (first team) boys and I wasn’t really thinking about a call-up until the day before; I was just enjoying the experience of training and some of the lads said ‘you’ve got a chance here, Todd’,” he continued.
“I couldn’t really believe it but I obviously wanted to see if the manager told me himself. When I got the nod, I was delighted.”
His current contract runs until 2019, with the club retaining the option for a further year, and he was shortlisted for the Premier League Two Player of the Season award for 2016-17.
Although aware it was only a small step in the right direction, Cantwell admits it was a thrill to be involved in Daniel Farke’s team.
“It was fantastic for me to take in and, obviously being here since a young lad, it was extra special to make it into the first team,” he continued. “I think it was a hugely proud moment for all of my family as well.
“They brought me here as a youngster and to then watch me at Carrow Road is great for them. It’s a hard thing to do nowadays because there’s lots of competition so I think they’re extremely proud.”
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