Who is… Norwich City’s new right-back Ivo Pinto?
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Norwich are quietly going about ensuring Premier League safety rather nicely of late, and the addition of an experienced defender will go great lengths to aiding the Canaries this term.
The Norfolk club have signed Ivo Pinto from Dynamo Zagreb for an undisclosed fee – believed to be a shade over £2m – and the right-back brings title-winning nous and Champions League experience to Carrow Road.
Pinto began his career at Porto, but failed to make the jump into the first-team, appearance just once in a cup tie before a host of loan moves across Portugal.
Seeking first-team football, Pinto made the switch to Romanian side CFR Cluj in 2012 and an impressive season saw him move the following year to Croatian heavyweights Zagreb.
The 26-year-old quickly made the right-back spot his own at the Stadion Maksimir and was a crucial part of the side which claimed successive league titles.
Those championships allowed Pinto to experience Champions League football and he played twice this season against Arsenal, including a full 90 minutes in the 2-1 victory over Arsene Wenger’s men in September.
Pinto’s biggest assets are his pace and intensity down the right flank, attributes which should fit well into this modern Premier League, as should a hefty 6ft1 in frame.
With Norwich netting a respectable but not-record breaking 23 goals in 20 league games this term, in addition to posting just three clean sheets, Pinto’s arrival will be welcome at both ends of the pitch at Carrow Road.
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