RVW checks in at Carrow Road

By David Lee Wheatley

 

Canaries capture sought-after striker

Norwich City confirmed the signing of 24-year-old striker Ricky Van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon on Friday, subject to the completion of essential paperwork. The promising Dutch forward has been linked with a number of Europe’s largest clubs over the last couple of years, most recently Tottenham Hotspur. Yet, it is the Canaries that have sealed the capture of a player who is set to enter the prime of his career.

The Dutch international started out with Vitesse Arnhem, prior to a switch to Utrecht that really set his career alight when plundering almost a goal in every two games; his form there prompting Portuguese Primera Liga giants Sporting to pounce on a player with a burgeoning reputation.

His move to Lisbon started wonderfully with 25 goals in all competitions, but the club have had a torrid year this time around and his form has suffered with 13 goals (8 in the league) so far. His potential is undoubted, though, and the player obviously feels now is the right time to step up to one of Europe’s biggest leagues in an effort to show exactly what he is capable of.

The brilliantly-named Van Wolfswinkel will officially sign a four-year deal on July 1^st, subject to the formalities of the move being completed. The one-time capped Dutchman will look to prove his worth to club and country on the commencement of his career at Carrow Road and he’ll surely turn out to be a fantastic signing for City if he fulfils the potential he possesses. The move to Norfolk suggests he’d rather play regularly in the starting line-up as opposed to sitting on the bench at a top-six side, showing a great eagerness which bodes well for his new club.

The transfer appears to be a win-win for the player and Norwich City, as the club will benefit from having a top striker in their ranks while the player will get a fair opportunity to show that he can mix it at the that level. If all goes according to plan, Van Wolfswinkel will begin attracting the attention of top clubs once again, but he’ll have garnered the required experience of Premier League football to allow him to prosper on the highest stage.

Canaries boss Chris Hughton trawled the world looking for quality new strikers in the January transfer window and he’s finally got his man with the capture of the Sporting star. The signing promises exciting times ahead for the Carrow Road faithful, as the club look to cement themselves in the top-flight of English football.  

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