Sutch joins Southend

Sutch: Joined Norwich as a schoolboy

Norwich City defender Daryl Sutch has left Carrow Road after 16 years and has joined Southend.

The midfielder had his contract with the Canaries terminated by mutual consent.

On Friday, he completed a move to Third Division side Southend, who are managed by former Sutch's former Norwich team-mate Rob Newman.

"I have been associated with the club since I was 12 and never even thought about moving," Sutch told Norwich's official website.

"I've loved being with Norwich and I've got some fantastic memories of my time here, such as the games in Europe.

Daryl simply hasn't been getting first-team football here and this is the best thing for him and for the club

Nigel Worthington

"But all good things come to an end. I wasn't getting first team football here and didn't feel I had much of a chance of getting into the first team as things stand.

"I'm looking forward to linking up with Rob Newman again at Southend and getting some games under my belt.

"I still feel I've got lots of football to play and this is a positive step for me at this stage of my career."

Norwich boss Nigel Worthington said: "Daryl simply hasn't been getting first-team football here and this is the best thing for him and for the club.

"He's still relatively young and this is a chance for him to play some competitive football again. He knows the manager at Southend and I'm sure he'll do a great job for them.

"He's always been a model professional and a likeable and popular member of the squad."

Sutch, 31, joined the Canaries as a schoolboy in 1986 and made his debut in a Rumbelows League Cup tie away to Watford on 9 October 1990.

His league debut came on Boxing Day that year when he came on as a substitute in the 3-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

During the next 12 years Sutch made 352 appearances for Norwich and scored nine goals during that time.