Dual Hyundai A-League championship-winning keeper Michael Theoklitos has signed for English League One club Norwich City on a two-year deal.
Theoklitos left Melbourne at the end of last season in a bid to find a European club to further his club career. The 2007/08 A-League Keeper of the Year has secured a deal with the Canaries, who said they were very keen to get his signature.
Norwich boss Brian Gunn continued his Australian favour after signing Australian pair David Carney and Adrian Leijer on short-term deals late last season.
“Michael has always been the No.1 target this summer, so obviously I’m delighted he’s put pen to paper. Although other clubs were interested in trying to sign Michael he wanted to come and play for us and that is the kind of passion and commitment to Norwich City which I’m looking for in my players,” Gunn said.
“Michael came for a few days with us in March and myself, Paul Crichton, and in fact he will be a massive presence both on the pitch and in the dressing room.”
Theoklitos said playing for a renowned keeper like Gunn could only be good for his career as he looks to get himself on the radar for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
“Norwich is a massive club with great crowds and it was always my first choice. The fact that in Bryan Gunn they have a manager who was a great goalkeeper himself was also a factor and although there is a big challenge ahead for the club, I’m really looking forward to being part of it,” he said.
Norwich was relegated from the English Championship last season with Leijer and Carney both leaving the club after Gunn’s unsuccessful campaign to keep his side up.
Former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets assistant coach Ian Crook is Gunn’s assistant and has been influential in City’s Australian favour.
