Snodgrass leaves Leeds with a heavy heart

New Norwich City signing Robert Snodgrass says he could not turn down a move to the English Premier League for a second time.

The 24-year-old Scot joined the Carrow Road outfit from Leeds United for an undisclosed fee on Thursday after four magnificent years at Elland Road, in which he scored 41 goals and contributed 52 assists in his 164 appearances.

The loss of the Snodgrass is a big blow to the Championship club’s promotion aims, with the left-midfielder becoming the second Leeds United captain to leave for Norwich in just over six months after Jonny Howson’s departure in January.

Snodgrass admitted that leaving Leeds was a tough decision but added that he could not deny himself a move to the top-flight for the second successive season after Norwich and Wigan Athletic came calling 12 months ago.

“I felt the frustration of the Leeds United fans last season and that is why I stayed on a further year to try and help the club back to where they belong,” Snodgrass told the Yorkshire Post.

“But I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to play Premier League football this time around.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank every single person connected with Leeds United for your support over the past four years.

“It is a fantastic club with an unbelievable fan base and nothing would make me happier than to see Leeds United back in the Premier League.”

Snodgrass will link up with former team-mates Howson and Bradley Johnson, who Norwich also signed from Leeds, in East Anglia.

His departure means Leeds manager Neil Warnock will have to appoint a new captain, with Jason Pearce – who crossed from Portsmouth in May – considered the favourite.