Friday 15 January 2016 14:24, UK
Norwich City have completed the signing of midfielder Ben Godfrey from York City on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Godfrey, who celebrated his 18th birthday by joining the Premier League side, had attracted interest from a number of teams after twice rejecting the offer of a professional contract with the Minstermen.
The Sky Bet League 2 side turned down three bids from the Canaries for Godfrey before finally agreeing an undisclosed six-figure sum.
According to the York Press the figure is at least £150,000 with further clauses which could take the final amount up to £1m.
York-born Godfrey made his first-team debut this season in City's 1-0 win over Yeovil on August 18 and has gone on to make a further 14 appearances, including eight as a substitute.
Godfrey will initially link up with the Norwich Academy squad and boss Alex Neil is pleased to have him on board.
Neil, who refused to comment on newspaper reports that Norwich are also closing in on a deal for Utrecht striker Sebastien Haller, said: "Ben has played first-term football for York, so that in itself suggests that he is progressing really quickly. He's a man already and his dad has got history in rugby league, so he is built like a man and is a good athlete.
"We are hoping in the future he will turn into a good player. He is not one for the first team at the moment, it will be a project for us to introduce him to the U20s initially and then gradually bring him into the first team."
Godfrey told his new club's official website: "It's massive for me to be given this opportunity and I can't wait to get started.
"I'm delighted to get the deal done, and it happening on my birthday makes it extra special. York gave me the platform to kick on so I owe a lot to them, but it's about what happens next now.
"Norwich is a huge club and I'm looking forward to developing myself as a player here."
York manager Jackie McNamara had been keen to keep Godfrey at Bootham Crescent but has welcomed the proposed deal with Norwich.
He told the York Press: "Everything is agreed and sorted and, while we wanted to keep Ben long-term and offered him two contracts, that proved difficult once the speculation started and Norwich came in. The lad's mind was made up and I wish him all the best with the next step of his career.
"There was a chance that it could go to a tribunal but there are a lot of incentives and conditions included in the deal that could make the club more money in years to come."
McNamara has already replaced Godfrey in his squad with the free-transfer signing of central midfielder Matty Dixon, 21, from Hull City on a one-and-a-half-year contract.
