On the move: Ollie Norwood is set for a loan deal with Fulham

Northern Ireland midfielder Ollie Norwood is set to join Fulham on loan from Brighton after the two clubs agreed a deal yesterday.

The 26-year-old was due to get a crack at the Premier League with newly-promoted Brighton, but he will now return to the Championship with London outfit Fulham.

Norwood moved to the Amex Stadium last year from fellow Championship side Reading and made 32 appearances for the Seagulls as they finished second in the league and secured promotion to England's top flight.

However, a lack of goals saw the central midfielder slip down the pecking order at the club, and he will go out on loan to get regular game time instead.

Norwood will join a club in Fulham who are one of the favourites to gain promotion this season, becoming their third signing of the summer after Marcelo Djalo and Ibrahima Cisse's moves to Craven Cottage.

This move should also help Norwood keep his spot in the national team ahead of Northern Ireland's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, with Michael O'Neill preferring to look at players who are playing regular football.

Belfast Telegraph