Norwich City have completed their fifth summer signing, adding some midfield muscle with the season-long loan arrival of Ibrahim Amadou from Sevilla – who could go on to be the club’s record signing.
The 26-year-old Frenchman was linked with the Canaries by respected newspapers in Spain and France in recent days and flew in to Norfolk to seal his switch yesterday afternoon.
After completing a medical and agreeing terms the defensive midfielder has signed up for his first Premier League experience, with those reports suggesting a loan fee in the region of £1million had been agreed.
City also confirmed an option to buy next summer, with the reports having also said a potential club-record permanent fee of around £9m could follow - should Daniel Farke's side survive in the top flight - and that Norwich would be taking on Amadou's wages.
With the Canaries also pointing out that Amadou provides centre-back cover, the new arrival said: "I'm happy to play for Norwich because I know they just got promoted to the Premier League with a lot of points in the Championship.
"It's a new challenge for me and I would like to discover more about the Premier League.
"When I was young, it was a dream to play in the Premier League but the more I grew up, the more it became an objective.
"I had this opportunity right now and I've decided to take it. I will try to do my best in the Premier League.
"I had interest from clubs in other countries, but my priority was to play in the Premier League.
"I've spoken to the (head) coach. He seems like a good coach who will give me the opportunity to play.
"I will have to show what I can do and make a good impression."
Sevilla reportedly paid around £13m for the Cameroon-born midfielder after three seasons as a regular in the French top flight with Lille.
MORE: City fans track potential new signing's flight from Seville
He helped seal progress through the Europa League qualifiers but missed much of September and October with an elbow injury, and was in and out of the La Liga team throughout the season.
Amadou did make 32 appearances in all competitions but only 18 were starts, six of which came in the Copa Del Ray, being unable to prevent an 8-1 aggregate defeat to Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
With former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui arriving as manager this summer, the former France Under-19 international was on the fringes of pre-season and is set for a fresh start in England.
Amadou trained with his new team-mates for the first time this morning and, speaking to City's official website, he added: "I know that the club has invested in the training centre and wants to invest more - that's a good thing.
"I look forward to getting to know everybody better. The sooner I do that, the sooner I become part of the team."
His arrival follows Alex Tettey's calf problem preventing him from taking part in pre-season for City, with the 33-year-old due to be out of contract at the end of the season as well.
That leaves Tom Trybull as the only fit specialist defensive midfielder ready for the start of the campaign at Liverpool on Friday, with long-term injury victim Louis Thompson injuring his hamstring during the first pre-season friendly against Arminia Bielefeld last month and Ben Godfrey now a key centre-back.
Amadou's arrival is sealed ahead of Thursday's 5pm transfer deadline for the Premier League, joining Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts and Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann on loan - leaving the final domestic loan slot still available.
Switzerland striker Josip Drmic was also signed on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach and right-back Sam Byram was brought in from West Ham for £750,000.
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