Football
PA Sport 8y

Norwich complete signing of Ivo Pinto from Dinamo Zagreb

Norwich have announced the signing of right-back Ivo Pinto from Dinamo Zagreb.

The Premier League club confirmed on Thursday that Pinto, 26, has joined for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The Portuguese defender came through the Porto youth system, before having spells at Rio Ave and Romanian club CFR Cluj ahead of his move to Zagreb in July 2013.

Pinto, who won the Croatian league title in 2014 and 2015, brings with him experience of Champions League football this season, having played for Dinamo against Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

Pinto, whose paperwork was being processed on Friday, hopes to be able to help Norwich secure their place in the Premier League for another season.

"I've worked hard to arrive in the best league in the world, so this move means a lot to me,'' he told Norwich City TV.

"English football is very fast and very intense for the whole game. That matches me well because my best qualities as a player are being fast and intense too.

"I want to improve as a player, and as a person. This is a fantastic country and I want to learn as much as I can from its footballing culture.

"I'm very excited to come here and play for a big club in the Premier League. Now I'm looking forward to starting work to help the team achieve their goals.''

Norwich manager Alex Neil believes Pinto will add depth to his squad, who are six points above the relegation zone and host Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday.

"He's a Portuguese under-21 international and at only 26 has his best years ahead of him," he said. "He is an athletic and good defender and will bring us options at the back."

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