Norwich bag United defender on loan

Norwich have confirmed the signing of defender Ritchie De Laet on a season-long loan from Manchester United, “subject to the relevant paperwork being completed”.

The 22-year-old Belgian, who joined the Red Devils from Stoke in January 2009, spent last season at Portsmouth and will add some defensive cover to the Canaries as they look to stay in the Barclays Premier League.

Norwich boss Paul Lambert told the club’s official website, www.canaries.co.uk: “He will be great for us. He is young and one of his main strengths is pace and he comes from a great club where he’s played first-team football.

“He’ll come in and help the other lads out. He’s played a lot of first-team games out on loan last season and I’m sure he’ll do great for us.”