ASSISTANT Manager Ian Butterwoth today spoke of his delight at reuniting with Michael Nelson after the 29-year-old central defender agreed to join the Canaries from League One rivals Hartlepool United.

Butterworth worked alongside Nelson during his time as reserve team manager at Victoria Park and feels the no-nonsense defender will be a great asset to the City squad.

"We're delighted that he is here. He's a dependable guy, I think he's played 40 games-plus in the last four or five seasons and he's got a good attitude," Butterworth told First News.

After Nelson had spent a six-year spell at Hartlepool, Butterworth felt the player would benefit greatly from a change of scenery and a fresh challenge.

"He explained that he felt he'd got a bit stale at his previous club and hopefully this move will give him fresh impetus. He'll add competition at the back with the other defenders and we've given him the platform to show his worth.

"He said he wanted to play on a bigger stage and we've given him that bigger stage. It's now up to him to take that chance and I'm sure he will."

A well-respected defender on the League One circuit, Nelson had attracted interest from a number of Championship and League One clubs after declining a new deal at Victoria Park. The Canaries clearly had a battle on their hands to secure Nelson's services and Butterworth claimed this signing was a particularly positive move by the Club.

"He had spoken to a couple of Championship clubs and a couple of other clubs in League One. So that's a positive step for the football club that someone has chosen Norwich. I think the lure of playing in front of 20,000 people and having a nice place to live came into it and Norwich gives you that."

REUNION: Defender Michael Nelson signs for the
Canaries teaming up again with Ian Butterworth

Nelson becomes the Canaries' second 6ft-plus signing of the summer, after midfielder Owain Tudur Jones from Swansea and Butterworth confirmed a little extra height in the squad was no bad thing ahead of life in League One.

"We're looking for that physical presence and height in certain key areas. We've identified that we need to beef up in certain positions and that's what we've brought in.

"We've got to mix our styles up - we'll still be playing football but at the end of the day we need that competitive element. There are going to be games when we are under the cosh and we need to be able to stand up to that."