Soccer

Norwich City sign Johan Elmander on loan

Swede returns to the Premier League after two seasons with Galatasaray

Former Bolton Wanderers striker Johan Elmander has joined Norwich City on loan. Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA Wire
Former Bolton Wanderers striker Johan Elmander has joined Norwich City on loan. Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA Wire
Wed Aug 21 2013 - 17:35

Norwich have further strengthened their attacking options by completing a season-long loan deal for Galatasaray forward Johan Elmander. The 32-year-old has currently been at the Super Lig club for two seasons having moved to Turkey following a spell in the Barclays Premier League side Bolton.

Elmander has been linked with a move to Carrow Road in recent weeks although manager Chris Hughton had claimed last week he was unsure of where the rumours of a move for the Sweden international had come from.

Elmander is the latest addition to a Norwich squad which has seen major investment over the course of the summer, and he will now compete with fellow new signings Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper, as well as January acquisition Luciano Becchio, for a place in the Canaries' attack.

Hooper is still sidelined following a shin injury suffered during pre-season, but club-record signing Van Wolfswinkel started his Norwich career in style as he headed in the equaliser in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Everton.

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Capped 71 times by Sweden, Elmander became Bolton's own record signing when he joined from Toulouse in 2008 and went on to make 92 appearances in the top flight for Wanderers. Now he is back in the Premier League and is looking forward to pulling on a Norwich shirt.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to starting training with the lads and to playing some games also. I know Norwich City has great fans and there’s a great atmosphere in the stadium, plus I know a couple of players here already too.

“I’m very glad that the deal has been done and now I’m looking forward to the season ahead.”

He becomes Hughton's eighth summer signing, with Javier Garrido, Leroy Fer, Carlo Nash, Nathan Redmond and Martin Olsson also penning deals with the Norfolk club, and the former Newcastle boss was pleased to add yet more numbers to his squad.

“I’m really delighted to bring in a player of Johan’s experience,” Hughton said. “Not only at club and Premier League level but as a current international. It’s great to welcome him to our squad.”