Defender Michael Nelson has signed a two-year deal to became Norwich City's third recruit of the summer having turned down a new contract offer at Hartlepool - and the possibility of Championship football next season.

Michael Nelson took time off from his honeymoon to complete his move to Norwich City yesterday and declared: “I'm ready for the battle ahead.”

The 29-year-old central defender signed a two-year deal to became City's third recruit of the summer having turned down a new contract offer at Hartlepool - and the possibility of Championship football next season.

At 6ft 2ins tall he fits the bill and his description of what he brings to the Carrow Road party is simple: “No nonsense defending.

“I don't try and complicate things. I head it and kick it when it needs to be and hopefully enforce myself on the team and the opposition and be able to dominate the centre forward I'm playing against.”

City beat off interest from the Championship - thought to be newly-promoted Scunthorpe - to land Nelson, but the north-east native says the decision was an easy one to make.

“I went to have a look around a Championship club came and had a look around here and I made my decision,” said Nelson. “I don't think I'll regret it.

“I think once you come down here the club doesn't really need selling to you. You have a look round the stadium and around the training ground and it speaks for itself.”

Nelson flew in to England from Majorca, leaving new wife Dawn and his two children behind for 24 hours while he completed the formalities.

“I fly back again Sunday night - I could have been here Monday and sorted it out then, but for the sake of a couple of days I might have missed out on the chance so I think it's well worth flying out and missing a couple of days of my honeymoon,” he said.

“Everyone I speak to always says it's a lovely area to come and live. I have a young family - people say it's a nice area to bring your family up. I'm looking forward to it, not only football wise but off the pitch as well.”

t PROFILE:

Michael Nelson

Position: Central defender

Age: 29

Nationality: English

Bury (April 2001 to June 2003)

80 starts, 3 sub appearances, 8

Hartlepool (�70,000)

302 starts, 4 sub appearances, 16 goals