PAUL Crichton today admitted that the outstanding form of Clarets number one Nik Michopoulos had forced his hand in accepting a move to Burnley's First Division rivals Norwich City.

Crichton barely put a foot wrong during his two-and-a-half year stay with Burnley which ended at the weekend when he joined the Canaries in a deal that could net the Clarets £200,000.

But having lost his place to Michopoulos when being stuck in traffic on the way to a game at Huddersfield last September, the former West Brom and Grimsby keeper couldn't force his way back into Stan Ternent's starting line-up.

And the 32-year-old was facing another season as the Greek's understudy until City boss Nigel Worthingon made his move.

"It was frustrating. I spoke to the gaffer about my position but the way Nick was playing there was no way I could get back in the team," said Crichton.

"Nik deserves to start and if he carries on the way he has been I was going to be sat watching the lads for another 46 games so it was time to call it quits.

"It's sad to be leaving but life goes on. I've had a great time and I'm sad to be leaving a few friends but football comes first.

"I had a great couple of years at Burnley. I helped keep the club up at first and then we got promoted. The gaffer's been good to me and the fans have been superb and it will be good to be playing back at Turf Moor with Norwich."

Crichton's experience and proven ability at First Division level made him the ideal target for Norwich as Worthington looked to replace Ipswich-bound Andy Marshall.

And the prospect of regular first-team football meant another stop on Crichton's footballing tour of the country which has now taken him to 13 League clubs, including loan spells.

He added: "I wasn't planning to move but the gaffer rang me and said Norwich had been in and did I want to speak to them.

"I wanted to play first-team football so I said that I did. The gaffer didn't want me to go but with Nik playing well he was going to start again so the gaffer gave me the chance to play again.

"It's a new challenge for me. I'm 32 now and if I have a good career with Norwich I could get my career towards 40. I don't see any reason why I can't keep playing until then if I stay fit."

Crichton, set to become a father for the second time this week, is likely to make his City debut at Millwall on the opening day of the season and will then face the Clarets at Carrow Road in September -- although he refuses to take his first-team place for granted under competition from promising youngster Robert Green.

"There are no guarantees but I think I have a better chance to play here, although I've still got to do well and prove myself in pre-season," he said.