Norwich City are believed to have missed out on one of their summer right-back targets, following Hidde Ter Avest's switch to Italian top-flight side Udinese.
The Canaries were hopeful of landing the 21-year-old Dutch defender come the end of last season, especially following FC Twente's Eredivisie relegation and latest bout of financial problems.
However Serie A side Udinese also clocked Ter Avest's potential availability during their own midtable season – they finished 14th in the top flight – and beat City's advances to complete the full-back's signing on a four-year deal.
Having missed out on Nigeria international right-back Tyronne Ebuehi in January to Portuguese giants Benfica, it remains to be seen who the Canaries will pursue next in their search for fresh full-back options.
Academy product Max Aarons, 18, signed his first professional deal with the club this summer. He will feature in head coach Daniel Farke's first-team squad come pre-season – acting as back-up to the experienced Ivo Pinto.
But question marks remain over Pinto's long-term future at Carrow Road as he enters the final year of his City deal, while the man who Farke played ahead of him come the second half of last season – Harrison Reed – has returned to parent club Southampton following his loan season.
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Twente academy product Ter Avest made more than 100 appearances for the Tukkers – several of them as captain last term – having made his debut as a 17-year-old, while also appearing through the Dutch youth ranks from under-15 to under-21 levels.
Ter Avest's involvement last season was ended in February with a broken leg – but that failed to put off either Norwich or Udinese in their attempts to sign him for free, following the expiry of his Twente contract.
Only Clarence Seedorf had played more Eredivisie minutes before the age of 20, than Ter Avest managed with Twente.
'Ter Avest is one of those young profiles with great potential on which we are earmarking for the future,' said Udinese general manager Franco Collavino.
'He has already proved to be a valid player in the Dutch top flight and here in Udine, he will be able to grow again.'
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