Norwich City Transfers: Scouting New Canaries Capture Ricky Van Wolfswinkel

After reportedly missing out on Sporting Lisbon's Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the January transfer window, most Norwich City fans could have been forgiven for assuming that the Canaries' interest in the prolific Dutch striker was all but over.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, the club spectacularly managed to lure the Sporting No. 9 to the Premier League in time for next season, with the 24-year-old signing a four-year contract. 

The fact that the Canaries were even in with a shout of attracting such a big name—in both the literal and figurative sense—speaks volumes about their ambitions for the future.

There's not getting away from the fact that van Wolfswinkel is the type of natural finisher that Norwich have been lacking this season, with Chris Hughton's men amongst the lowest scorers in the division.

His goal record has been hugely impressive in Portugal, following up the blistering form he displayed in his homeland that ultimately prompted Sporting to shell out €5.4 million to sign him from FC Utrecht in 2011. 

Simply put, van Wolfswinkel is a born goalscorer.

The Dutch International has an instinct for being in the right place at the right time and as the quality to put away chances more often than not when presented with the chance to score.

His exceptional movement means that he is able to create space for himself out of nothing, making goalscoring look easy.

It's a skill that cannot really be coached. It either comes naturally to you or it doesn't, and van Wolfswinkel finds it remarkably easy.

What's more, he is capable of finding the back of the net with both feet as well as being more than handy in the air which means that he is nearly the complete forward. 

He's the type of striker who won't perhaps do a great deal in a game, but will often only need one invitation to win a football match via his clinical composure under pressure.

It's a trait that has summed up van Wolfswinkel's career to date, as former Utrecht assistant Jan Wouters perfectly described to BBC Sport whilst trying to fend off Premier League interest in the youngster during his time in Holland:

"

His biggest quality is scoring goals but he's a young player and has a lot to learn. 

"

Since that point, van Wolfswinkel has indeed matured as a player in the Portuguese capital and now looks ready to test himself at an ever higher level.

He has the ability and physical attributes to be a success in the Premier League, and Norwich City have purchased a player that can go on to achieve anything he wants to in the game.

At the age of 24, van Wolfswinkel has time on his side to develop even further, and as such, the potential resale value of the Woudenberg born forward is enormous if he is a success in England.

The Canaries faced a huge battle to persuade the Sporting man to put pen to paper, but now that they've pulled it off, it is undeniably the most impressive transfer in the club's history.

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