5 Reasons Why Lee Camp Is a Good Signing for Norwich City

The signing of Lee Camp wasn't exactly met with universal approval by Norwich City fans across the land, but there is a school of thought that suggests that it could actually be a smart piece of business by the Canaries.

The 28-year-old signed a deal with the club until the end of the season after being told that he was surplus to requirements at Nottingham Forest, and will compete with Mark Bunn for the No. 1 jersey in John Ruddy's absence.

It means that Camp will finally get a chance to ply his trade in the Premier League after being close to a move to Swansea City back in 2011, according to Sky Sports. 

Camp is no stranger to life at Carrow Road, having spent a loan spell with the the Norfolk outfit some years previously. 

Here are five reasons why his move could be a win-win for all concerned...

Mark Bunn Needs the Competition

The form of Mark Bunn has split opinion amongst many Canaries supporters, with some feeling that he isn't of the required standard for the Premier League.

Losing a goalkeeper of John Ruddy's calibre for an extended period of time was always likely to be a blow for Norwich City, and there's little doubt that City have looked shakier at the back in his absence.

Bunn is definitely a talented shot-stopper, but his lack of physical presence and shortcomings on aerial challenges are causes for concern with Chris Hughton's men fighting for top flight survival.

The signing of Camp will add genuine, experienced competition for the goalkeeper spot, with Hughton evidently reluctant to put faith in youngsters Declan Rudd and Jed Steer with so much at stake.

The former Nottingham Forest man now provides an alternative for the City boss if he feels that Bunn needs to be taken out of the firing line. 

Declan Rudd and Jed Steer Can Get out on Loan

Sitting in the stands is notoriously the worst thing that you can do as a young player with the occasional reserve game and cup, outing no substitute for getting experience in League football. 

Both Declan Rudd and Jed Steer are approaching the age where they really should be getting first-team games under their belts, and a spell away from Carrow Road on loan could be pivotal for their development.

The signing of Camp should free up an opening for at least one of the prodigy stoppers to make a temporary move away from Norfolk and will enable them to try and catch Chris Hughton's eye.

If they impress, they will be in a much stronger position to compete for a first-team spot next season, having experienced what regular football is all about, and the Canaries boss will surely be more willing to trust them between the sticks for his side. 

He Has Leadership Qualities

The fact that Lee Camp was captain of Nottingham Forest for much of his time in the Midlands shows that he has the capabilities to lead others, which could be an attractive trait as Norwich try to hold on to their precious Premier League status.

Admittedly, his form has dipped in the last year, but a change of scenery could be just the spark needed to get his career back on track.

Not long ago Camp was considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in The Championship, with Swansea City known to be keen on signing him upon their promotion to the top flight (via Sky Sports).

However, since being denied his move to South Wales, things haven't quite been the same for Camp, but at the age of 28, he is far from over the hill, in terms of age, and could quite easily get back to his best with Chris Hughton's outfit.

What's more, his decision to reportedly turn down the advances of Ipswich Town in favour of a switch to Norwich (per The Daily Mirror) is likely to put him in the good books of some Canaries fans already!

It's Only Until the End of the Season

The fact that Lee Camp has only put pen to paper until the end of the season could be the best scenario for all parties, with the deal giving both the club and the player a chance to re-assess things again in the summer.

The short-term stay will give Camp an incentive to really stake a claim to extend his spell at Carrow Road beyond the end of the campaign by proving that he is good enough to play in the Premier League.

As for Norwich, they will get a close-up look at what Camp could potentially offer over a longer period of time, and if things don't go according to plan, then there is always the option to shake hands and go their separate ways without the 'keeper being tied down to a long-term contract.

It's the classic win-win situation for Camp and the club, and the 28-year-old will be confident that he can make an impression during his time in Norfolk. 

His Signing Doesn't Break the Bank

It's hardly a secret that Norwich City don't have the same sort of money to spend as other clubs in the Premier League, so the fact that the club have been able to sign Camp on a free transfer means that much-needed funds can be spent elsewhere on the squad.

It's clear that the Canaries are searching for more firepower to boost their forward line, with Chris Hughton confirming that bids have been submitted for both Danny Graham and Gary Hooper (The Pink'un).

Of course, goalscorers are at a premium, and so the board will have to dig deep to fund Hughton's moves in the transfer market, meaning that the money saved on this deal could make a world of difference. 

If Norwich are to compete for such illustrious players then any penny saved could prove vital as they look to strengthen their squad, and it appears that the chance to sign Camp for such a bargain basement price was just too good to turn down. 

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