CITY can today confirm the double signing of midfielder Simon Whaley from Preston North End and defender Rhoys Wiggins from Crystal Palace. Both players join the Club on two-year contracts for undisclosed fees.
Born in Bolton, 24-year-old Whaley is an attacking midfield player who is predominantly recognised as a right winger. He began his career with Bury and after progressing though the ranks at Gigg Lane went on to play 73 league games for the Shakers, scoring 11 goals between 2002 and 2006.
In January 2006, he followed in the footsteps of his former Gigg Lane team-mate David Nugent by making a £250,000 switch to Preston and signing a four-and-a-half year deal at Deepdale.
Whaley had a loan spell at Barnsley last season, playing four times for the Tykes before returning to Deepdale to fight for a first team place. After North End accepted the Canaries' bid earlier this month the player decided to commit to Norwich having been impressed by the Club's plans and its infrastructure.
WIDE BOY: Right midfielder Simon Whaley
in action for Preston
Wiggins, a left-sided defender, progressed through the youth and reserve team ranks at Selhurst Park before making his first team debut for the Eagles in October 2008. The young defender also gained valuable experience with a loan spell at League Two Bournemouth at the end of last season. He made 13 appearances for the Dean Court club as the Cherries successfully maintained their league status.
London-born, 21-year-old Wiggins is of Welsh nationality and has been capped by his country at under-21 level.
WALES U21: Left-back Rhoys Wiggins on
international duty against England
The arrival of Whaley and Wiggins at Colney make it eight permanent summer signing for City boss Bryan Gunn who confirmed his delight at adding more new faces to the City squad. He told First News: "It's great to have secured the signatures of these two players.
"I've seen Simon play on the right side of midfield and that is where I see him operating for us. However, he can also play on the left flank and through the middle so he gives us plenty of attacking options.
"He has all the attributes you'd expect from a wide man with good pace and the ability to score goals too.
"Rhoys is predominantly a left-back and I saw him first hand playing for Wales Under-21s against England. It 's not often you see James Milner have a quiet game but he did and a lot of that was down to Rhoys' work.
"He comes highly recommended by Dave Williams who has worked with him. He is a player who likes to get forward and will certainly bring a level of competition to the squad that we feel we need."
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