FORMER Southend United youngster Isaac Hayden has joined Norwich City on a season loan from Newcastle United.

Hayden, who was with the Shrimpers for four years in his youth, had been with the Magpies since 2016.

But he is now excited to be teaming up with the Canaries who are now back in the Championship.

“I am absolutely delighted,” Hayden told the club's official website

“This is a fantastic club.

“Everything is well run, it has got a good infrastructure and the stadium and the fan base is great.

“I am here to try to help the team get back to the Premier League.

“The facilities at the training ground are great and changed significantly from when I have visited before.

“I’ve also looked at our squad and I want to add to that and help get us promoted straight away.”

Hayden made 171 appearances while with Newcastle but is now excited to be teaming up with Norwich boss Dean Smith.

“The head coach was a big factor for me,” said Hayden.

“He called me straight away and saw that I was out of the picture at Newcastle.

“I had spoken to him a few times before and he always struck me as somebody who was trying to do the right things and doing things very well at football clubs.”

>You can bid for Isaac Hayden's match-worn Newcastle United shirt here.

All money raised will be donated to SECE Mind as part of the fundraising surrounding the match in memory of former Blues skipper Chris Barker.