Marshall's decision proved easy

Norwich City's departed keeper David Marshall admitted it was an easy choice to swap League One for a potential Premiership promotion tilt at new club Cardiff.

Norwich City's departed keeper David Marshall admitted it was an easy choice to swap League One for a potential Premiership promotion tilt at new club Cardiff.

Marshall is the first member of Bryan Gunn's squad to jump ship in the wake of the Canaries' Championship relegation after agreeing a four-year deal with the ambitious Bluebirds.

The Scotland international revealed Cardiff made their pitch while he was on national duty earlier this week during Scotland's 'B' win over their Northern Ireland counterparts.

“The move happened really quickly,” he said. “I was up in Scotland and I learned about the interest on Tuesday. We managed to tie everything up with the medical to sign on Wednesday.

“I'm happy to join Cardiff and it wasn't a hard decision to make. It was a tough season for the club and it's never easy when you are getting relegated. Because I have left so soon it's all a little weird with the disappointment as it was only ten days ago. Things happened very quickly and the chance to join Cardiff was too good an opportunity to turn down, especially after I had seen the place. I have been very impressed. It all looks fantastic. I met the manager and the chairman along with Martyn Margetson at the new training ground and it is superb. I'm really pleased to have signed.”

Dave Jones' side missed out on the Championship play-offs by a single goal on the final day at Preston as Norwich were surrendering their league status at Charlton - but Marshall is in no doubt his new club can go one better next season.

“The way the club is set up, it's desperate to get to the next level,” he said. “I'm looking forward to coming in working hard and putting in performances to hopefully gain the number one spot. From there I hope to achieve what we will all be working towards and that's promotion. It will be better for me playing at the top end of the Championship.”

Marshall insisted safeguarding his international future was also a major priority ahead of a World Cup year. The 24-year-old aims to challenge Craig Gordon to become George Burley's number one following the much-publicised long-term omission of Rangers' stopper Allan McGregor.