Harrison Reed believes he can play an influential role in Norwich City’s midfield during his season-long loan from Southampton, after being encouraged to join by former Canaries winger Nathan Redmond.

The 22-year-old became the fifth signing of the Daniel Farke era and has spoken about the style of play he will bring to Norfolk this season.

“Last couple of seasons I’ve played as a deep-lying midfielder really, as a number six as they call it,” Reed explained.

“I like to get on the ball, keep things ticking over. Out of possession I’m aggressive, I like to win the ball back and get the team playing again.”

The move is a big opportunity for the Saints academy product, who has previously represented England at under-19 and under-20 level, as it is his first loan away from the south coast club.

He signed a four-and-a-half year contract in December of last year and now needs to impress new head coach Mauricio Pellegrino.

“I’ve obviously been at Southampton a long time, my first loan move and I was really excited to come down here and get everything sorted and head out to Ireland to meet up with the lads,” he continued.

“I heard about a couple of weeks back just very vaguely and got a phone call Wednesday night and said it could be happening. I went into training (at Southampton)and it was all systems go so I headed up here straight away, completed the medical this morning, doing some of the tests.

“It happened really quickly but I’m really happy it’s done.”

Former City winger Redmond was one of the Saints team-mates Reed sought out for advice about the Canaries and said the England international helped to make up his mind.

“Speaking to a few of the players who have moved to Southampton, like Nathan Redmond, said the club is great, a very well run club,” the midfielder continued.

“Obviously from the outside it’s a massive club, been to the Premier League, unfortunately come back down but if you look at he way they want to play and speaking to the manager really encouraged me to join Norwich and push to get back to the Premier League.

He added: “Straight away as soon as I heard about it I spoke to Redderz, got an insight about the city and the club and he had nothing but positive things to say.”

The tenacious midfielder, born in Worthing, has made 27 senior appearances so far for Saints and started both FA Cup games against Norwich last season – a 2-2 draw at Carrow Road in the third round, followed by a 1-0 win for Southampton at St Mary’s.

He was impressed by new City boss Farke’s plans ahead of agreeing to the move and said he was pleased to complete the move early in pre-season.

“I had a conversation with him (Farke) on the phone, he told me his philosophy and the way he likes to play,” Reed continued. “I could tell it suited me down to the ground and he thought the same.

“I think when we meet up and I start training with him that will be seen.”

Speaking to Norwich City TV, he added: “It’s important, I think, if you’re going to make the loan move to make it sooner rather than later so you can integrate into the side, get to know the lads and that sort of stuff, they way they like the play, and it’s also important for me to learn how the manager wants me to play.”