Norwich City's new academy Under-18 coach Graeme Murty insists he is inheriting a 'fantastic' crop of talented players following the club's academy restructure.

Murty steps up to replace Jerry Gill after working alongside City legend Darren Huckerby with the under-16s age group. Huckerby will now oversee the younger age group on a full-time basis at Colney.

Paul Wilkinson has also departed with City now actively recruiting for a new development coach, and former Reading defender Murty is predicting a bright future for the Canaries' academy.

'I've really enjoyed my time here and it's a marvellous honour to be asked to take the under-18s group forward,' he said. 'There's some fantastic talent in the squad, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can do this year. I know a lot of the players and their capabilities really well.

'They matured throughout the year, so I'm excited to work with that level of talent and see how far they can push themselves. Our pre-season will be an opportunity to work together as a group and get to know each other socially. That will hopefully form the relationships needed for us to have a good season.'

Murty, speaking to the club's official site, views his close working relationship with Huckerby as a major asset moving forward.

'Hopefully myself and Darren can work together to suit both groups, because we're here to help the players and ensure they have access to the best support available,' he said. 'We want them to express their talent every day we work with them, then impress on a Saturday. I've always prepared teams to develop and for individuals to get better, but the under-18s is a little bit more about results.'

• City have also announced full details of the academy's pre-season build up.

The under-21s will begin their campaign at Dereham on July 14 before a six-day training camp in Austria. They will also face Lincoln away on July 29 and rivals Ipswich at Colney on August 3.

Murty's under-18s will play three friendlies against the likes of AFC Wimbledon's under-18s and sides from Mildenhall and Stanway along with spending three days at a training camp in the Czech Republic.