Robert Snodgrass' decision to swap the captaincy of Leeds United for Norwich Citywas motivated by a desire to establish himself as a first-choice Scotland international and a top Premier League player.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a three-season contract at Carrow Road after Leeds accepted a fee of £3 million (Dh17.1m) plus performance-related variables.
The Scot was also pursued by Aston Villa and Sunderland but agreed to join a club that had two bids - the second for £3.25m - rejected for him last summer.
"I firmly believe that the Premier League is the best league in the world, and when Norwich came in for me, I made the step because I believe that Norwich can kick on again," Snodgrass said. "Sometimes this window of opportunity doesn't come about too often, and I jumped at the chance."
Leeds are also in discussion with Doncaster Rovers and Notts County over the permanent transfer of Billy Paynter.
The 28-year-old striker, has a season remaining on his Elland Road contract but has been made available without a fee as Neil Warnock seeks to free up salary for new recruits.
Though Doncaster are favourites to conclude a deal for a player who delivered 29 goals from 52 appearances during his last season at a League One club, there is also interest in Paynter within the second-tier English Championship.
sports@thenational.ae
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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The%20specs%20
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
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