WILL NORRIS AGREES NEW THREE YEAR DEAL WITH U’S
Cambridge United announce goalkeeper Will Norris has agreed a three year deal with the U’s until the end of the 2018/19 season.
Since returning on loan from National League outfit Braintree Town in January, Norris has grasped the club’s number one shirt with both hands, producing a superb run of displays during the second half of the 2015/16 season in which he kept nine clean sheets in 21 Sky Bet League Two appearances.
Will signed for the club at the age of 18 in July 2012 from Royston Town, where he returned immediately for a loan spell to continue his development as an exciting teenager. He made his debut for United against Tamworth in the promotion season at the beginning of 2014, registering his first clean sheet in a 1-0 victory.
The keeper featured prominently in United’s journey back to the Football League during the 2013/14 campaign, as well as playing an important role in the semi-finals and final of the FA Trophy triumph at Wembley Stadium in the same season.
Cambridge United CEO Jez George explained the new deal was fully deserved following the goalkeeper’s impressive run of form and commented: "Will, amongst others, was the success story of the second half of last season. He repaid the faith shown in him by Shaun in recalling him from his loan spell at Braintree to make the number one position his own.
"We knew when we signed Will in 2012 that he was a promising young goalkeeper with loads of potential. At the time I said that he was one for the future.
“That has proven to be the case through Will's hard work and dedication, as well as the support of Martin Davies and Matt Walker (Head of Performance). Martin has helped him to develop the technical side of his game, Matt has helped him improve his physique and most importantly, Shaun has given him an opportunity to showcase his ability."
Pleased to have been provided the opportunity to commit his long-term future to the U’s, Norris said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been offered the chance to extend my time with the club.
“I certainly felt we finished the season strongly, and I was pleased to play a part in that. However a new season brings new challenges and new goals.
“I’ll continue to work my hardest for Cambridge United and I know that it’s the small details every day in training that can make the difference when performing on a Saturday and being the best I can be.
“The Manager (Shaun Derry) has been brilliant in giving me an opportunity and likewise the efforts of Martin Davies (GK Coach) make the world of difference, so I aim to repay their faith in me.
“My personal ambition is to seal that number one spot in the team again. David Gregory is a good goalkeeper and highly thought of, I look forward to working with him in training and battling it out for the position.”
Meanwhile, Jez George finished by adding: "Will is a fantastic young man and a really talented young goalkeeper, destined to play at a higher level. We hope that, initially at least, that is with Cambridge United, hence our desire to extend his contract and reward him for his excellent performances since January.
"It is always important that we are proactive in securing the services of our best young players before they approach the end of their contracts. In this instance negotiations were simple because Will has a sensible agent, has grown up at the club, recognises his development, sees our ambition and loves being at Cambridge United."