Former Norwich City academy graduate Korey Smith has a new club after joining League One side Cambridge United. 

The 33-year-old was released by promoted Derby County at the end of his contract this summer and has joined Garry Monk at the Abbey Stadium after intense interest from third-tier clubs for his services. 

Smith made 37 appearances during Derby's successful League One campaign and has previously played for Bristol City, Swansea as well as the Canaries. He has signed a two-year deal at Cambridge to become their latest addition. 

“It all happened quite quick overnight – it got sorted at around 11pm last night and at 5am I was at the airport!” Smith told Cambridge's official channels.

“When I went down to the training ground last week I had a really good chat with the manager. He told me the club’s ideas and plans for the future, where they saw me in that, and I felt a good connection.”

Smith made 73 appearances for Norwich after spending several years in their youth set-up before eventually breaking into the first-team regularly under Paul Lambert during their title-winning League One campaign back in 2009/10. 

He was also part of their squad that gained promotion to the Premier League the year after, making 32 appearances before a flurry of loan spells with Barnsley, Yeovil and Oldham before completing a permanent move to the Latics. 

Smith would go on to spend six years at Bristol City, followed by a two-year spell at Swansea before linking up with Norwich fan Paul Warne at Derby. 

Smith made over 70 appearances for City during his time at the club.Smith made over 70 appearances for City during his time at the club. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Cambridge have already signed Norwich youngster Vicente Reyes on loan ahead of their League One campaign, and Monk believes the additional of Smith is another statement of their intent. 

“Korey is another signing of real pedigree, having spent the vast majority of his career playing in the Championship or fighting for promotion out of League One," Monk said.

“He will add quality, experience and a winner’s mentality to the team, so I am delighted to welcome him to the club.”