The signing of Steven Naismith may have been a long time coming but Norwich City chief executive David McNally is confident the Scot will prove worth the wait.

Naismith has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Canaries after completing his switch from Everton, in a deal reportedly worth £8million.

City's hierarchy had hoped to sign the Scotland international last summer but McNally has now been able to explain why he had to be patient to get his man.

'I think last summer it was ever so easy really, in so much that Everton were prepared to sell to us, we were prepared to pay the price, everything was agreed with the player and his representatives but Everton needed a replacement coming in the front door if Steven was leaving to join Norwich City,' McNally explained.

'So that's why it fell over in the last minute in August, which was a shame. We're pleased that because we continued the discussions since then, throughout the autumn, that we're in a position to ensure that we were in pole position for his services.

'As you can imagine, there were plenty of other football clubs that would like to sign him, so we're thrilled that we've won that particular race.'

Premier League rivals Newcastle and Swansea were also linked but McNally and head of recruitment Lee Darnbrough played the long game.

'We've also been helped by the fact that Everton and Norwich City have a very strong relationship so we were able to speak quite openly about some difficult matters and sometimes these things happen throughout any transfer discussion. So we've got there in the end and we're thrilled because he will be a big player for us.'