Michael McGovern joins Norwich City on three-year deal

Norwich have signed Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern on a three-year deal.

Michael McGovern has joined Norwich City on a three-year deal. Picture: Getty Images

McGovern, 32, whose contract at Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Academical expired earlier this summer, will link up again with former Accies boss Alex Neil after joining on a free transfer.

The 6ft 2in ‘keeper had been linked with Rangers, Aberdeen and Hibernian prior to his Euro 2016 heroics.

“Having worked with the gaffer before, that was a big pull for me,” McGovern told Norwich’s official website.

“I had some interest from elsewhere but I’m really looking forward to working with him again now at Norwich.

“I’m aiming to get into the team but I know I’m up against some top-class goalkeepers. It’s going to be intense competition, although it’s a challenge I’ll relish.”

Former Hamilton club captain McGovern appeared in all four of Northern Ireland’s matches at Euro 2016 and conceded only three goals.

His performance in Northern Ireland’s 1-0 defeat to world champions Germany drew widespread praise.

McGovern's performance against Germany helped Northern Ireland advance to the Euro 2016 knockout stages. Picture: Getty Images

McGovern’s string of saves kept the scoreline down and helped Northern Ireland advance to the knockout stages on goal difference.

Canaries boss Neil added: “He’s a fantastic professional and he showed he’s capable of playing at the top level with his performances for Northern Ireland at the Euros.

“He will come in and offer great competition to our current goalkeepers.”

The Enniskillen-born McGovern progressed through Celtic’s youth system and joined Dundee United on a free transfer in 2008 after loan spells at Stranraer and St Johnstone.

McGovern's contract with Hamilton ran out earlier this summer. Picture: Getty Images

He left Tannadice without making a single first team appearance, moving first to Dingwall with Ross County, where he turned out 71 times before moving on to Falkirk in 2011.

McGovern played more than 100 games for the Bairns, helping them to Challenge Cup glory in April 2012 and being nominated for the PFA Scotland First Division Player of the Year award.

In June 2014, McGovern joined Hamilton on a one-year deal, playing in the New Douglas Park side’s historic win over Celtic in October - Accies’ first win at Celtic Park in 76 years.

McGovern also set a club record of 437 minutes without conceding a goal, during September and October 2014.

He was appointed Accies captain in January 2015, following the departure of Alex Neil to Norwich and the promotion of Martin Canning to manager.