Holt agrees new Norwich deal

The 31-year-old scored 15 goals to help keep the Canaries in the Premier League, but then handed in a shock transfer request at the end of last season, which was rejected by the club.

Holt wanted the security of an extra 12-month extension, which put him at loggerheads with chief executive David McNally and raised interest from newly-promoted West Ham United, which was said to have offered up to £6 million ($9.15 million).

However, after the appointment of Chris Hughton after Paul Lambert left for Aston Villa, an amicable agreement was reached and Holt is now focussed on spearheading Norwich's forthcoming campaign.

"It was well documented from the start that I wanted three years," Holt told a press conference.

"It has been a long saga now. I never wanted to leave the club, but things happen and there has been a lot of speculation and things have been taken out of context.

"My ambition was to get the three years, I have done that now, have agreed the deal and I am happy.

"My intention was to see my career out and I hope that will be the case.

"I have got a wife and a family who are settled in the area and I wanted to secure that."

Holt added: "Things get said on all sides, which probably sparked it, but as men you sit down, you sort it and we have done that. I am absolutely delighted to have signed.

"I look forward to working under the new manager and keeping this club where it is meant to be.

"I hope the fans realise why I did it (hand in transfer request), but I am here now, have signed and long may it continue."

Hughton had always maintained he wanted to retain the services of Norwich's talisman, who was voted the fans' player of the year in each season since signing from Shrewsbury Town.

"It was the first priority and the outstanding priority. Because of Grant's record at this football club and because of his quality," said former Newcastle United and Birmingham City boss Hughton.

"I knew what he meant to this football club. It was quite obvious it was going to be big news and, of course, it was one that rumbled on for a while.

"But having spoken to Grant, his intentions and his preference were to be here. Certainly the club have gone about their business in the right way."

Hughton added: "The first conversation I had with him, I didn't really have to do too much because the feeling I had initially was that he wanted to be here.

"I can understand being in that position before, he is at a stage where he wants to secure his future, he has a young family, he's very happy in the area and the feeling I had is that this is where he wanted to be.

"I don't feel I had to work that hard and certainly didn't have to persuade him.

"I would certainly like to thank the board, who have gone about their business in the correct way and I am delighted to see him here."

The new Norwich boss has been quick to tie up key men on new deals, with goalkeeper John Ruddy joining versatile Scotland defender Russell Martin and midfielder Andrew Surman in penning fresh terms.

The Norfolk club also confirmed the arrival of former England Under-21 international Jacob Butterfield from Barnsley, after last week signing Scotland defender Steven Whittaker, a free agent after his departure from Rangers.

"It is about making sure we have a squad and a team which is good enough to continue to compete," said Hughton.

"We have two other additions here who can be a big addition to this football club.

"We hope we can continue to make progress over pre-season and have a team which is able to really compete in this division."

Hughton added: "This is an unforgiving division and you can soon be on the end of a series of poor results.

"I am still assessing what we already have, but will have no fear of bringing in players to make sure we have the quality to continue to compete and have the competition in the squad which we need."

Meanwhile, it is understood Lambert's backroom staff of Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa are set to follow him to Villa Park.