Ex-Norwich academy product Korey Smith has agreed a two-year contract at League One Oldham Athletic.

The 22-year-old midfielder spent 10 games on loan at Boundary Park towards the end of the previous campaign and Latics' boss Lee Johnson beat off competition from a number of clubs to seal a permanent deal. Smith was one of 10 players released by the Canaries at the end of the season. The Hatfield-born player made 67 league appearances for the Canaries, scoring four goals, and was a key figure in City's League One promotion success.

Smith is the latest of the players released by the Canaries to clinch his short-term future. Chris Martin and Marc Tierney had already joined Championship clubs Derby and Bolton respectively before Elliott Ward signed a one-year contract earlier this week with newly-promoted Bournemouth.

Cherries' boss Eddie Howe revealed he has identified Ward as the perfect experienced campaigner at the higher level after operating in the second tier with Coventry, West Ham and the Canaries.

'We believe in Elliott as a player and a person. He ticks all the boxes for us, he is a really good athlete, he's excellent in both boxes and he's a real physical presence,' said Howe. 'He is also technically an excellent footballer, which fits in with our philosophy and how we want to play out from the back and how we want our defence to be able to handle the ball. He is a leader as well, he's experienced and he knows the division.'

Ward admitted Howe's pursuit made him feel wanted after falling out of favour at Carrow Road.

'The desire to get me here was a big pull,' he said. 'I spoke to Eddie a few times and was impressed with what he put in front of me about the plans for the future. It was quite a simple decision in the end.'