Norwich City secure De Laet on season-long loan

Norwich City wrapped up their fourth summer signing on Friday afternoon after securing the services of Ritchie De Laet on a season-long loan from Manchester United, subject to the relevant paperwork being completed.

On securing the services of the 22-year-old, City boss Paul Lambert said: 'He'll be great for us. He's young and one of his main strengths is pace and he comes from a great club where he's played first team football.

'He'll come in and help the other lads out. He's played a lot of first team games out on loan last season and I'm sure he'll do great for us.'

De Laet, who operates primarily as a central defender but is equally comfortable at full back, can't wait to start at Carrow Road but knows he has a battle on his hands to gain a first team place.

The Belgian told the club's official website: 'I'm really pleased to be able to continue my development as a young player with Norwich, where the manager has given me this chance to come in and fight for a place in the Norwich team.

'I know it's going to be very tough because the lads there have done really really well and it's going to be a big challenge to get into a team which is really used to winning and is a great, tight-knit group.'