Paul Lambert’s recruitment drive shows no sign of slowing down after he announced his fourth summer signing in the shape of ex-Colchester midfielder David Fox on a two-year deal on Friday.
Just when everyone was expecting Cardiff’s Solomon Taiwo to come through the door, the City boss produced a surprise and introduced 26-year-old Fox to the waiting media after agreeing an undisclosed fee with the U’s.
And the cultured midfield man is well known to Lambert, with the Scot adding him to his ranks at the start of last season when he was in charge in north Essex.
The last experience of the Carrow Road turf was a happy one for Fox, when he scored an outstanding free-kick in that infamous 7-1 victory for United back in August.
But Lambert will now be hoping he can do the same in the yellow and green, with the Scot feeling that the Championship new boys need a bit more passing flair in the engine room.
“I know Foxy from his Blackpool days and I brought him to Colchester,” said Lambert, speaking to the media on Friday at a Carrow Road press conference.
“He scored two goals in his first games for us and did well. We have brought him in because he can pass a ball. He is a natural passer and in the first two games last year at Colchester he was in terrific form.
“I just think that with the way that we play the game, the team is made up of different players with all kinds of attributes and I know what I’m going to get from him.
“He is a terrific passer of the ball and had a good up bringing at Manchester United, that’s is a big thing. If you are at that club for that length of time you have something in your game.
“I spoke to several people about him and they were highly complementary about Foxy, and I obviously saw him myself. So, yes, I’m just delighted to have him.”
Fox is noted for his excellent passing range and will provide City with some invaluable experience having been captain of Manchester United’s reserve team as a youngster. The former Old Trafford man also gained some European experience when he joined Old Trafford feeder club Royal Antwerp on loan for a season from the Red Devils.
With a host of talent in front of him in Manchester, Fox joined Blackpool where he made 108 appearances, the highlight of which came in the League One play-off final where the Seasiders secured their promotion to the Championship.
After four enjoyable seasons at Bloomfield Road, Fox moved south to Colchester last season on a free transfer. And his career at the Weston Homes Community Stadium got off to a flyer with the August romp on the Canaries’ League One debut.
“It was some feeling scoring at this place, though unfortunately not everyone celebrated! I hope I’ll be able to go on and score many more goals here for Norwich,” said the City new boy, following in the summer footsteps of Andrew Crofts, Steven Smith and Elliott Ward.
“I think everyone wants to play at the highest level possible. Norwich made the approach and they are a Championship club, so you are going to want to go there. I want to play at the highest level, which is no different to anybody else; I see this as a challenge for me personally.”
Fox does admit, however, that it won’t be easy to force his way into a team which won the League One title at a canter last season. “I can’t come here and just expect to walk into the side,” he added.
“I don’t think anyone can, especially at a team that’s just got promoted. It’s going to be a massive challenge for me personally to get into the team and I’ll be like everyone else, trying really hard to impress in pre-season and hopefully start the first game of the season. But I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be a very difficult task.”
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