Highly-rated central defender Sean Raggett has completed a move to Norwich City from Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old had been widely touted with a Carrow Road switch and the Canaries’ confirmed Raggett had signed a three year deal on Friday morning. Raggett remains at Lincoln on loan until January as part of the deal.
“I’m delighted to be here as it’s a massive move for me,” he said. “It’s a big opportunity in my career and I’m really excited. There’s been a lot of speculation but I’ve just focused on my football and I’m really pleased it’s come off.
“Norwich is a huge club and it was a chance I couldn’t turn down. I’ve had a great time at Lincoln and it will be good to go back for the first few months of the season and thank them for what they’ve done for me.”
City were reportedly in competition with West Ham and Sunderland for the defender, who caught the eye last season for Lincoln on their way to winning promotion to the Football League.
“Sean is a good guy with a lot of potential,” head coach Daniel Farke told the club’s official site. “He is a good character and very strong in the air. We will give him the time to improve as a player. As part of his development, Sean will return to Lincoln on loan until January.”
Raggett starred in the Imps’ FA Cup run which saw the then National League side go all the way to the quarter final before they were beaten by Arsenal. The 6ft 5in powerhouse scored the winner in Lincoln’s famous fifth round tie win against Premier League Burnley.
The defender only had 12 months left on his existing deal with Lincoln, with Imps’ chief Danny Cowley keen to keep hold of their prized asset after his exploits last season.
“It was a great season,” Raggett told City’s official site. “Getting promoted was brilliant and the goal at Burnley was a special moment. I’ve got a great relationship with the fans and I’m sure they will be really pleased for me.
“I’m looking forward to playing in front of them again. These next few months are really important from me because I’ve got to work hard and get some advice from the guys here about what they want me to work on. Players have shown they can come from non-league and make a real impact at this level. That’s what I’ll be looking to do.”
MORE: Like our Pinkun Facebook page for Norwich City content
Cowley is in no doubt Raggett can be a key figure when he returns to Carrow Road in the new year.
“We’ve worked hard to get the best deal for the club moving forward and being able to negotiate the best deal for all three parties was key,” he told Lincoln’s site. “It allows Sean to sign a long-term contract at a Championship club with Premier League aspirations, whilst also allowing him to come back here on loan to play games.
“To be able to bring him back was a vital part of the deal and the fact that Sean wanted to come back and continue his development with us is massive for us both as he is irreplaceable both as a person and as a player.
“It was always about the right pathway for Sean’s development and credit must go to him for his part in helping us find a middle ground between the two parties.”
“The fact that we’ve been able to sell a young player to a Championship club when he was a part-time player this time last year is a huge credit to all involved. If Sean continues to make the progress he has made so far then by the time he goes back to Norwich he will most likely be an integral part of their squad.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here