Norwich's injured-ravaged wideman Luke Chadwick revealed yesterday he had to leave Carrow Road to kick start his career at MK Dons. The 28-year-old signed a two-and-a-half year contract after agreeing a free transfer switch to Roberto Di Matteo's League One title challengers.

Norwich's injured-ravaged wideman Luke Chadwick revealed yesterday he had to leave Carrow Road to kick start his career at MK Dons.

The 28-year-old signed a two-and-a-half year contract after agreeing a free transfer switch to Roberto Di Matteo's League One title challengers.

Chadwick was limited to just six senior appearances under City boss Glenn Roeder following knee and shoulder problems that blighted his Norwich career. The ex-Man United trainee had impressed during a brief seven match MK Dons' loan stint before picking up a fresh knee injury in training that cut short his initial three month stay.

“I can't wait to get started again,” he said. “I've got some work to do to get over this injury at the moment but I'm looking forward to getting back on the pitch and hopefully helping the team win promotion. I really enjoyed it here earlier in the season, I felt really settled even though I was on loan and the supporters were brilliant to me.

“I found my fitness, was playing regularly and was really enjoying my football. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up where I left off.”

Chadwick was signed by former City boss Peter Grant on loan from Stoke in November 2006 ahead of a permanent deal for a reported �220,000. The wide player notched a debut derby day goal against Ipswich but missed the next two months of the season following surgery on a gashed knee injury after he was stretchered off at Portman Road. Chadwick scored twice in a total of 18 senior Norwich appearances but his last first team outing came as a substitute in the 3-0 home win over Queens Park Rangers in April.

Dons' chairman Pete Winkelman insisted Chadwick's permanent arrival is another signal of his club's intent to launch an all out Championship promotion push after rookie manager Di Matteo extended his contract until 2011 earlier this week.

“Luke showed during his time here that he is a player of immense quality - the calibre of player Robby has identified as important for the development of this football club,” said Winkelman. “Coming hot on the heels of Robby's own contract extension this week, it's a hugely positive start to the New Year and a signing we're extremely excited about.”

Chadwick - out of contract at Carrow Road at the end of this season - had scored three goals in seven loan appearances after joining the Dons in October before a knee ligament injury forced him to return to Norfolk early.