Nice little Earner for Rams

Premiership new boys Derby have smashed their transfer record by signing Norwich striker Robert Earnshaw for £3.5million.

The Wales striker, 26, has become the Rams' first signing of the summer after agreeing terms on a three-year deal at Pride Park.

The capture of the former Cardiff and West Brom striker surpasses the £3million record fee the Rams paid for the services of Seth Johnson, Craig Burley, Branko Strupar and Giorgi Kinkladze.

Earnshaw was the Canaries' top scorer in the Coca-Cola Championship last season, finding the net a total of 20 times despite missing three months of the campaign with a torn groin muscle.

He moved to Carrow Road for £3million in January 2006 after a disappointing spell at the Hawthorns and scored a total of 27 goals for the Canaries.

Rams boss Billy Davies said: "We are delighted to have a new striker on board with a fantastic track record in terms of goals scored at every level he has played, including the Premier League and internationals.

"Robert is a fantastic additional to my squad and I'm sure the fans will be excited that we have a new fox in the box for the new season."

Chairman Peter Gadsby added: "We have started with a record signing and it is our hope that the coming weeks will also be busy.

"We are determined to give Billy a squad capable of at least preserving Premier League status and we want ideally to have new players in place as soon as possible so we can approach the new challenge with a positive mindset."