Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Norwich's new £8million signing Alex Pritchard has slammed former club Spurs, saying he could not wait to quit White Hart Lane.

Pritchard, 23, came through the ranks at Tottenham but made just two appearances in five years after being farmed out on loan to Peterborough, Brentford, Swindon and West Brom.

The ex-England Under-21 attacking midfielder said : "It was a bit disappointing to finally leave Spurs. But in the end I couldn't wait to get out of there. They just never gave me a chance."

Pritchard has said sorry to Brighton though, for turning his back on the Seagulls when the Canaries came in with a last gasp bid.

He said : "It was just one of those things that happen in football. I had to make a choice because I can't play for both clubs.

"I was never actually close to signing for Brighton and all that matters is that I am a Norwich player now. So all I can do is apologise to Brighton."

(Image: Jan Kruger) (Image: Ker Robertson)

Pritchard is set to make his Norwich debut in the season opener at Blackburn but he is already tipping his new team for promotion.

He said: "Norwich have a great squad and get a full house at every home game so the crowd are like a 12th man.

"The Championship is a really tough league and you have to be ready to go every game. But if we have the right mentality and play aggressively we have got a great chance.

"Hopefully, I can add something new in the attacking third, creating chances, scoring goals and getting the crowd excited."

(Image: Jan Kruger)

(Image: Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs)

Manager Alex Neil meanwhile is hoping Pritchard can inspire Norwich's first opening day win for 14 years, a 4-0 victory at Grimsby in 2002.

Neil said: "We have been keeping tabs on him for a long time and he will bring quality on the ball, creative flair and goals to the team.

"Our opening day record doesn't really matter to me but records are there to be broken and we intend to go to Blackburn and break it."