BEN GODFREY has claimed the appeal of joining Norwich City compared to "relegation football or even Conference football" was simply too good to turn down.

The teenage midfielder has spoken out about his "dream move" from League Two strugglers York City to the Premier League outfit, which netted his home-town club a six-figure fee plus clauses which, it is believed, could take the overall package above £1million.

He says getting a deal at Bootham Crescent had been his aim since re-joining the club at under-15s level and that he would "100 per cent" have signed a professional contract with City had one been offered before interest came from other clubs.

He has also thanked the "tremendous" York fans.

In a statement given exclusively to The Press, Godfrey said: "My transfer to Norwich City has been a dream move. Despite moving away from my family and my home-town football club, the decision was easy.

"My move to Norwich allows me to train and develop at a higher level. Alex Neil (Canaries boss) told me he'd been to watch me play and he wanted me to join his squad.

"I'm aware I'm nowhere near ready to play at this level, but I couldn't ignore the interest from a Premier League club. So far, the training sessions with the squad and players including Nathan Redmond, Alex Tetty, Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan, Steven Naismith, Jonny Howson, etc have been absolutely amazing.

"The transfer deal suits everyone. York City get funds to assist their relegation fight and I have an opportunity to develop my technical abilities.

"However, it's fair to say, had York City offered the first pro contract before all the interest and rumours began, I would 100 per cent have signed the contract they offered me. York offered me an 18-month contract, but this arrived after I became aware that a number of League One, Championship and Premier League clubs were watching me play.

"York offered me a second pro contract several weeks later but I needed to consider all the options available at that time. Since re-joining York City in the U15s my aim was to sign pro with City, but the prospect of joining Norwich on a three-and-a-half-year deal with the facilities they have - compared with playing relegation football week in week out or even Conference football - was simply too appealing.

"It was a decision that didn't take me long to make. I defy anyone to turn down a promotion in their own career."

Godfrey went on: "I owe a lot to the recent managers at York City - Nigel Worthington, Russ Wilcox, Richard Cresswell and Jackie McNamara, but mainly (youth coaches) Jono (Jonathan Greening), Cressy (Cresswell) and Macca (Andy McMillan) - as they gave me opportunities to train with the first team and play League Two, FA Cup and Capital One Cup football, which placed me in the 'shop window'. Being a home-grown lad playing in front of the York fans and hearing my name chanted is something I'll never forget.

"I know I can only get that feeling with one club. The York fans have been tremendous.

"What has happened to me proves York City are moving in the right direction regarding their academy. My advice to all the lads in the younger age groups at City is to train hard and act like young professional footballers.

"City currently have a number of quality players in their academy that will also attract interest, so I hope City get these players on pro contracts early and produce more home-grown players."