Josh Murphy has reflected on his spell at Norwich City with fondness believing he helped pave the way for the next generation of younger players to come through at the club.

The winger was an FA Youth Cup winner at Carrow Road alongside brother Jacob and played over 100 games for the club before moving to then Premier League Cardiff in a deal worth £11million. 

He is now on a redemption mission at League One side Oxford and has been linked heavily with a Championship return this summer at the end of his deal at the Kassam Stadium. 

Murphy spent over a decade at the club, starting as an under-12 in 2006, and still considers Norwich a club close to his heart. The 29-year-old is grateful for the grounding the Canaries provided him within the game. 

“I have great memories from my time at Norwich. Obviously, I came through the academy so was there for a long time," he said.

"Chris Hughton gave me my debut in the cup against Watford, so I’m forever grateful for that opportunity because it kick-started my career. It’s a club that I’ve got close to my heart, and I just love seeing them do well.  

“I enjoyed my time at Norwich and feel like my brother and I paved the way for the younger boys coming through, it made that transition easier.

"I really enjoyed my time there. Working under different managers with different styles was really good.” 

Towards the end of his spell at Carrow Road, there was some debate surrounding whether the tag of being an academy player weighed heavy on his shoulders - but Murphy has refuted that suggestion. 

He is grateful for the support that Norwich fans offered him throughout his spell at the club and thinks his academy grounding aided his cause with them. 

Eastern Daily Press: Josh Murphy made his senior debut at Norwich City back in 2013 in a cup game at Watford.Josh Murphy made his senior debut at Norwich City back in 2013 in a cup game at Watford. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

“I think it’s probably easier having the tag of a local academy player," Murphy told the Pink Un via Sky Bet.

"Every club loves their own youth players coming through the system so I think you can get away with a lot of mistakes because the fans just want to see you do well and take great pride in knowing that they can produce players with quality.

"I found it good, the fans were great to me. When I left, I think it was the right time and I was at that point in my career where I wanted to go and play in the Premier League.”