Glenn Roeder has made his first signing of the summer with a Bosman swoop for highly-rated Northern Ireland international Sammy Clingan. The central midfielder and free-kick specialist, 24, has agreed to join the Canaries from Nottingham Forest, on July 1, in a two-year deal.

Glenn Roeder has made his first signing of the summer with a Bosman swoop for highly-rated Northern Ireland international Sammy Clingan.

The central midfielder and free-kick specialist, 24, has agreed to join the Canaries from Nottingham Forest, on July 1, in a two-year deal when his contract at The City ground expires at the end of the month.

Roeder the club's official website: "I'm extremely happy to secure the signature of Sammy Clingan.

"He is a player we watched a number of times during a successful promotion season at Nottingham Forest last year. We felt that he was the driving force in their midfield and we look forward to him continuing his career in an upward curve with us.”

"He is a Northern Ireland international with lots of experience. Having met him he struck me as having the drive and motivation that I'm looking for in my players."

Clingan commented: "I'm absolutely delighted to be joining a big club like Norwich City. I'm leaving a good club, Nottingham Forest, to join Norwich and I'm really looking forward to trying to get them promoted to the Premier League.

"Once I had spoken to Glenn Roeder and viewed the fantastic facilities at the club it was an easy decision to make. I knew of Glenn's managerial reputation, working with big name players in the Premier League and hopefully he will help me become a better player too. I was very impressed with what he said and his plans for the future - it really caught me and now I can't wait for the first game."