Norwich City swoop for Rangers' Steven Smith

Smith will challenge Adam Drury for the left-back position

Norwich City have signed left-back Steven Smith on a two-year contract after he was released by Rangers.

The 24-year-old will be free to join the Canaries on 1 July after making 74 appearances for the Scottish club.

He told BBC Radio Norfolk: "I've not played a lot in the last couple of years and the chance to rebuild my career is a big thing for me.

"I enjoyed my time at Rangers but it was time to move on and it's something I'm looking forward to."

Norwich manager Paul Lambert said: "He's come from a massive club in Rangers and he'll fit in well here. I'm looking forward to him joining us.

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Drury is of course first choice, but is also 31 and has really only recently come back from a long-term injury

Shorn Canary

"He's a left-back with a terrific engine and he'll be part of a squad that will hopefully do well."

The Scot has played twice in the Champions League and five times in the Uefa Cup for Rangers.

Smith fought back from a groin problem that sidelined him for 16 months in 2006 to feature regularly in the Scottish Premier League title-winning side of 2009.

However, he only made 12 starts and six substitute appearances in the season just passed under Walter Smith.

"When the new manager came in I wasn't fit and he was really successful and it's hard to get into a successful side," Smith added.

"I've played in the Champions League and big Old Firm games, so I may not have played a lot of games in my career but the games I have played in stand me in good stead for this league.

"People always put question marks over you because of injuries but it's not something I'm worried about."

Smith becomes former Celtic midfielder Lambert's third close season signing after midfielder Andrew Crofts and defender Elliott Ward.

It is the Scots' first since signing an improved contract with the Canaries on Tuesday.

Norwich have won nearly 68% of their games under Lambert, who joined from Colchester United in August, turning a side close to the relegation zone around to such an extent that they won the League One title by nine points.

The news of Lambert's new deal coincided with a Football Disciplinary Commission ruling that Norwich should pay his former club £425,000 in compensation for the departure of the Scot and his backroom team.