Former Everton and Norwich City player relishing new challenge with King's Lynn Town in the National League North

Ambitious midfielder Sam Kelly believes working under King's Lynn Town boss Ian Culverhouse will only improve him as a player.

The 25-year-old, who can play in a number of attacking roles, is eager to get started with the Linnets after arriving at the Walks from Billericay last month.

Kelly is looking forward to the challenge, and to making a name for himself under Culverhouse, who he knew from his academy days at Norwich City.

Speaking about his recent move, Kelly said: "I know the Gaffer from my time with Norwich. It seems like he's got a great thing going here, playing a good style of football that is attracting the fans.

"He was assistant to Paul Lambert when I was coming through as a scholar and I know the standards he will have set, just from the level he's been at.

"He will have natural respect from all of the players and I've still got a lot to learn too.

"I'm nowhere near the finished article, so with Ian in the corner guiding and helping me with my game it is only going to make me better as a player and hopefully improve the club at the same time."

The former Canaries and Everton scholar, whose brother Ross played for the Linnets back in 2010/11, found regular first team football in the English Football League with Port Vale in the 2015–16 and 2016–17 campaigns.

A spell with Grimsby Town followed and Kelly featured eight times for the Mariners in League Two.

He started last season at Hamilton Academicals in the Scottish Premier League, making nine appearances, before brief spells with both Braintree and Billericay.

This latest chapter for him is one that he hopes pays off, and he feels he has lots to offer the club with him being closer to his Huntingdon home.

"I've got two young babies now, so the location was important to me," admitted Kelly, who has been best friends with fellow Lynn midfielder Michael Clunan since the age of ten.

"I started last season in the Scottish Premier League but the location thing was a major factor behind me leaving.

"Braintree was the nearest club to me at the time, but they had their upsets and then I ended up at Billericay."

Kelly added: "I like to get on the ball. I try to create and score as many goals as I can, but ultimately I want to help the team with whatever experience I have.

"I can play behind the striker but I am also fast so more often than not I get pushed out wide because of my speed. I can also play in the middle, where I like to make things happen.

"I spoke to my brother Dan who was at St Ives last season and he said that they barely touched the ball and that style of football suits me.

"It's important that I can get back to enjoying my football and showing people what I am capable of. I just want to get my head down and get a few games under my belt."