Norwich have announced striker Oli Johnson has left the club by mutual consent.

The 24-year-old would have been out of contract in the summer but admitted over the weekend he was hopeful of securing a move away in the January transfer window. Johnson had not featured for the Canaries in over a year after making an immediate impact during the club's League One title-winning campaign following his move from Stockport in January 2010. The frontman had two separate spells on loan at League One Yeovil, but returned to Carrow Road just before Christmas.

'Oli was a massive part of our season and promotion from League One and we wish him all the best for the future,' City boss Paul Lambert told the club's official site.

Johnson scored four goals in 23 senior appearances for Norwich after arriving on a two-and-a-half year deal from Stockport, but the Yorkshireman revealed recently he was desperate for a move to kick start his career.

'There are only six months left on my contract. I am interested in a permanent or loan deal, presuming Norwich will let me go,' he told the Wakefield Express. 'City have come a long way in a short time and it is understandable that I am not getting games. That's football and it's the same for a lot of other lads. Going to Norwich was the best thing that could have happened to me.

'I have worked with great coaching staff and I feel that I have improved a lot. I am not bitter that I have not played as much as I would have liked. Every footballer experiences frustration and it's about how you bounce back. I am now focused on the future. Hopefully Norwich will let me go during January and my agent is talking to a couple of clubs but the window has only just opened and it's early days.

'I would prefer a permanent move but I would consider another loan. I am confident in my ability and feel that I have got match sharpness. I have got to be realistic and I will be happy playing at League One or League Two level.'