Ashton excited

"It’s incredibly exciting," Ashton told the Norwich City website. "To come from Crewe to a good club like Norwich and play in the Premiership is tremendous.

"With Norwich I felt there was a chance to play regularly. The main thing I’ve noticed is how professional the club is. All the facilities are excellent."

Norwich agreed to pay an initial £3million for Ashton, smashing their previous £1million record. The fee could rise to £3.5million and Crewe have also negotiated a 20 per cent sell-on clause.

After securing the 21-year-old on a three-and-a-half year contract, Norwich boss Nigel Worthington said: "I’m delighted that we’ve been able to attract such a young talent to Carrow Road.

"Dean is currently one of the best young strikers in the country and has scored goals for Crewe on a consistent basis. I hope he can continue to do so for us in the Premiership and that he goes from strength to strength while he is with Norwich City."

Ashton has progressed through the ranks at international level, representing his country at Under-19 and Under-20 levels before forcing his way into the Under-21 set-up. He has scored two goals in three appearances for the Under-21s.

Crewe were naturally reluctant to part with Ashton who has scored 20 goals so far this season, taking his total for the club to 74.

But Crewe assistant manager Neil Baker says no-one begrudges him the move after seeing the hard work he has put in to get to the top. "We have seen a young lad come through the ranks and get himself a good move to a good club playing in the Premiership and without a doubt he deserves it," Baker told the Crewe Alexandra website.

"Dean goes with out best wishes because he has earned it. He has served the club really well but there comes a time when people do have to move on - that time has come for Dean and good luck to him."

Ashton is set to go straight into the Norwich squad for their trip to Aston Villa this weekend.

Dean Ashton Factfile

Nationality: England
Date of Birth: 24 November 1983
Place of Birth: Crewe
Height: 6' 2''
Weight: 12 08

International Stats

England U21s - 3 caps, 2 goals
England U20s - 2 caps, 0 goals
England U19s - 6 caps, 5 goals
England U17s - 1 cap, 1 goal

Club Career Stats