Michael Bailey Goalkeeper Joe Lewis today admitted he was “shocked” to discover he had no future at Norwich City.The 20-year-old England Under-21 squad member, who completed his £400,000 move to League Two Peterborough United yesterday, rose through the club's academy ranks and has been billed as one of the country's top young 'keepers.

Michael Bailey

Goalkeeper Joe Lewis today admitted he was “shocked” to discover he had no future at Norwich City.

The 20-year-old England Under-21 squad member, who completed his £400,000 move to League Two Peterborough United yesterday, rose through the club's academy ranks and has been billed as one of the country's top young 'keepers.

But Lewis will now have to prove such potential away from Carrow Road, and he gave a frank answer to whether he wanted to leave the Canaries.

“Not really,” said Lewis. “Initially it was a shock to me. I had a phone call from the manager saying they had accepted a bid and the club thought it would be best for me to leave.

“I'm very disappointed that I never got to play for the club I have supported all my life but that's football and, from Norwich's point of view, it's probably good business in the short term. Whether it's good business in the long term we will see.

Lewis never made a competitive first team appearance for the Canaries, despite being at the club since the age of eight.

“It's a big change for me. I used to have a season ticket and it's a big wrench to be leaving the club, but it was clear that the opportunities weren't going to be there for me.

“I'm obviously disappointed but I'll be playing first team football at an ambitious club who'll hopefully be in the same league as Norwich in a couple of years.”

Two loan spells in League Two last year, at Stockport County and Morecambe, enhanced Lewis' reputation and certainly left an impression on Darren Ferguson.

The Peterborough manager is convinced he has pulled off a major transfer coup in breaking his club's transfer record, While City boss Glenn Roeder clearly feels he has enough goalkeeping cover already at hi disposal.

“To be honest, I don't feel like I have got anything to prove to Glenn Roeder. He never saw me play, so he obviously couldn't form an opinion on my ability, which is partly why I was a bit shocked.

“The reason I came back from Morecambe was that I wanted to come back and fight for my place. I had a couple of days off ill, then one day's training when I had the phone call from Glenn to say they'd accepted an offer; he's paid to make decisions like that.”

Lewis also paid tribute to the Norwich fans, some of which continue to question the wisdom in allowing such a highly regarded home-grown product to leave.

“I didn't get a full opportunity to show them what I can do but I have got to look forward. However much you love and support a club, ultimately you can't wait forever and Peterborough is a great opportunity for me.”