Ian Crook's knowledge of all things down under paid dividends today as Bryan Gunn welcomed Australia international David Carney to Norfolk as his first signing as City boss.
The 25-year-old midfielder joins on loan from Sheffield United until the end of the season and having worked with him at Sydney FC in 2005, Crook will know all about the Socceroos star.
Both of them helped the club to the Australian Hyundai A-League Grand Final in 2005-06 and Carney can regularly be found on his country's teamsheet after making his debut against Bahrain in 2006.
With 17 caps and one goal, he's clearly no one-hit wonder and having had time to acclimatise to the cut and thrust of English football, there is less of a risk involved than shipping over one of the A-League's hottest talents.
“I'm delighted to be joining a club such as Norwich,” said Carney today, speaking to the club's official website.
“The Club is obviously in a position they shouldn't be and hopefully I can do something to help move the team up the table. I'm looking forward to working with Ian Crook again and can't wait to get started.”
His arrival will certainly add competition in what is already a well-stocked area of the squad but it is a clear indication that Gunn is set on stamping his own mark on proceedings.
Carney, who is most at home on the left of midfield, will challenge the likes of Wes Hoolahan, Matty Pattison and David Bell for a starting berth.
Saying that, if mercurial Irishman Hoolahan continues the sparkling form he showed in last night's 2-2 draw with Southampton, he will take some shifting.
Having not featured for the Blades this term, United boss Kevin Blackwell was keen for Carney to get first-team football elsewhere and according to Gunn, he was a wanted man.
“I know there were other clubs interested in him, both in this country and in Europe, and I really hope he is able to use his abilities to help us in the battle we have ahead of us,” said the City chief.
“I am delighted to welcome David as my first signing. We've been working very hard behind the scenes and putting several phone calls into different clubs and this is the first one with a positive result.
“He is an Australian international and I feel he will add something very positive to the squad we already have.
“He has a tremendous left foot which I hope he can utilise in our games which we have coming up and he's a confident goalscorer who is technically gifted.
“He wants to come here, he hasn't featured at Sheffield United and with the World Cup coming up in 2010, he wants to have the chance to show what he can do so he has an opportunity of a place in the Australian squad.”
And then comes the Crook connection ? one that is immediately bearing fruit. Having worked in Australia for ten years, you'd like to think the new Canary first-team coach knows who is 'bonza' and who isn't.
“Ian Crook worked with him in Sydney, where David played 21 games and scored six times. Ian gave a very high recommendation of David and his capabilities, and was happy to recommend him to us.”
Carney is available to go straight into City's squad for the trip to Doncaster on Friday night and with around 2,000 fans making the trip north, he will have an immediate chance to impress the Canary faithful.
Having started his career as a trainee with Everton, Carney then had short stints with Oldham, Halifax and Hamilton Academicals, before returning to his homeland in to join Sydney.
Tom Haylett
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