Source: Daily_Mail
Norwich sign Daniel Ayala from Liverpool
On the move: Liverpool's Daniel Ayala Norwich have confirmed the signing of defender Daniel Ayala from Liverpool on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old Spaniard becomes Paul Lambert's eighth summer addition as he looks to bolster a squad which secured successive promotions from npower League One to the Barclays Premier League. Ayala joined Liverpool from Sevilla in 2007, but found his first-team opportunities limited at Anfield, and last season spent loan spells in the Championship at both Hull and Derby. Lambert feels Ayala will add some much-needed depth for the challenges ahead. Speaking last week to BBC Radio Norfolk, he said: 'I just think you've got to have a lot of cover throughout the coming games and a long hard season. 'He's a young player and obviously played against us for Hull and Derby and I thought he was strong and aerial as well, he was somebody we thought could benefit the football club.'The Spain Under 21 international could find himself making a swift debut in Sunday's Premier League clash against Stoke at Carrow Road, should centre-back Zak Whitbread not recover from the knee problem he picked up during the 1-1 draw at Wigan. The Canaries were the only one of the three newly-promoted sides to pick up a result from their opening fixture, fighting back to earn a 1-1 draw. Canaries flying high: Norwich secured a point at Wigan on the opening dayStoke have established themselves in the top flight, and last season's FA Cup finalists - who play the first leg of their Europa League qualifier at FC Thun on Thursday - gave as good as they got during Sunday's goalless draw against Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium, which left new Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas less than impressed. Norwich midfielder Andrew Surman insist Lambert's men must be ready for whatever is thrown at them this season. 'It will probably be more physical (in the Premier League) but we have got to stand up to that,' said Surman, quoted in the Norwich Evening News. 'We played teams last season that were physical and we stood up to that and got points off them.' Surman, who had a brief spell in the Premier League with Wolves during 2009-10, added: 'We are not going into the league thinking that we are going to be playing fancy football every week. 'Everyone has got to compete and we have got to earn the right to play football.' The Norfolk club meanwhile today announced a new partnership with Group Lotus. The five-year deal will see Norwich receive a 'significant seven-figure investment'. Former Liverpool co-owner Hicks is sued over claims he 'stole' from Texas RangersEnrique says Carroll will terrorise defences at Liverpool after winning fitness battleMeireles is Chelsea's latest target as Blues weigh up new Modric bidLoan ranger De Laet out to prove a point to Fergie at Norwich