Betfacts / Editor / 01 July 2007 / Leave a comment

Derby new-boy Rob Earnshaw admitted the offer of Premiership football was too good to turn down after he reluctantly left Norwich City.

The Premiership newcomers completed a club-record £3.5million deal for the striker on Friday, with the fee eclipsing previous transfers shelled out for the likes of Seth Johnson, Craig Burley, Branko Strupar and Giorgi Kinkladze.

Wales international Earnshaw agreed a three-year deal and is manager Billy Davies' first signing of the summer as the Pride Park boss prepares to beef up his squad for the task of staying in top flight.

Earnshaw admitted it was with a heavy heart that he decided to call time on his spell at Carrow Road but now hoped to get the goals to keep Derby, the 1.6 favourites to make an automatic return to the Championship on Betfair, in the Premiership.

"I've really enjoyed my time with Norwich City," he said.

"I wanted to be part of Norwich's promotion challenge this season but the lure of Premiership football this season was too great.

"I wish Norwich every success in the future."
Davies was thrilled with the signing, who he labelled as his "fox in the box", and was confident he would repay his transfer fee.
He said: "We are delighted to have a new striker on board with a fantastic track record in terms of goals scored at every level he has played, including the Premier League and internationals.

"Robert is a fantastic additional to my squad and I'm sure the fans will be excited that we have a new fox in the box for the new season."