Players turning down a chance to join Norwich City are missing out on becoming a part of the 'family' at Carrow Road, according to popular full-back Ivo Pinto.

Dutch left-backs Mitchell Dijks and Marvin Zeegelaar both rejected the chance to fill the Martin Olsson-shaped hole in the Canaries line-up this week.

Whether that was because of geography, facilities or finances, Pinto is still sure that he made the right decision to move to Norfolk a year ago.

'Norwich are unfortunately not in the Premier League anymore but playing there showed players Norwich is a good club,' the 27-year-old said ahead of today's home Championship clash with Birmingham City. 'You play in the Norwich City family, we are always looking to go back to the Premier League, to make this club bigger and to make it better.'

The Dutch duo's decision not to become part of Alex Neil's squad, despite holding talks, has teed up a busy few days ahead of Tuesday's 11pm transfer deadline.

With Robbie Brady also close to completing his much-talked-about switch to Burnley, left-sided reinforcements could be critical to City's play-off hopes.

Pinto believes there are plenty of positives to attract new signings though.

'It is a good club,2 he continued. 'We are football players, if we are concerned about the city or about the place then it's not good. If your first thought is about the city you are already wrong, you are a football player. You have to first ask about the project, if it's good for you or if it's not good for you. If you want to evolve as a player, it does not matter about the place.

'So to start with I ask about the project, the facilities, the conditions are there to have everything you need to evolve as a player and if the project is good, you like the club, then you sign for the club.'

Pinto has made 32 appearances since his £2million move from Dinamo Zagreb last January.

'It was on my birthday that I signed, that was officially my transfer, which was a very special day for me,' the Portuguese said.

'Looking back, there has been ups and downs. We unfortunately came back to the Championship, we didn't stay in the Premier League but now we are facing another challenge and I am going through a good phase, in good shape and I'm happy with that.'