91Èȱ¬

Norwich City have signed striker James Vaughan from Everton on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Vaughan, 22, is Norwich's first signing since returning to the top flight.

The England Under-21 international spent much of this season on loan at Championship club Crystal Palace, scoring nine goals in 30 games.

"I've got no worries. I think he'll do great. He was a handful for Palace and more than helped them stay up," said Norwich boss Paul Lambert.

"He's a terrific lad. He's been in the Premier League before and scored goals at that level.

"Sometimes, when kids burst on the scene, pretty early it can take a bit of time before that newness goes away.

"He just needs a fresh start I think and Norwich can provide that for him.

"He's someone who's been on my mind to try and get in and he'll make the competition for places harder for everybody else," Lambert told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Norfolk.

The striker became the youngest Premier League goalscorer when he scored on his Everton debut, at the age of 16 years and 271 days, in the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park in April 2005.

But his time with the Toffees was disrupted by injury and he struggled to establish a first team place, heading off on loan spells at Derby, Leicester and eventually Palace.

"It was hard to leave Everton," Vaughan told "I've been there since I was six but now it's time to move on and try and get some games elsewhere."

"I'm really happy to get it done so early in the summer. I'm already looking forward to getting back into training.

"I was very impressed with Norwich last season. Obviously, getting promoted two seasons in a row isn't easy and a lot of credit has to go to the team for doing that.

"The club is going in the right direction and hopefully I can join and keep that going in the Premier League."