Former Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell played a key role in luring Kieran Dowell from Carrow Road to Glasgow Rangers.

That's according to the Liverpudlian, who has revealed that Cantwell was "raving" about the Scottish club to him when they discussed the potential move.

The City academy graduate moved to Ibrox in January with just six months left on his contract with the Norfolk club, while Dowell will officially become a Rangers player on July 1 when his Norwich deal expires.

The English youth international spent three years in NR1 but struggled for consistent form and fitness, scoring 12 goals in his 76 appearances in yellow and green.

He played a key role in the closing stages as Norwich charged to the Championship title in 2021, but was unable to help them survive in the Premier League and was part of the side that finished 13th in the second tier last season.

"I knew Todd Cantwell, who has come here," he told Rangers TV. "He'd only been here two or three months when I spoke to him about it and he was raving about it already. He's hit the ground running here and has done really well so far.

"I get on really well with him. I love playing with him, we are like-minded people in football terms and we look for each other on the pitch.

"I think when we've played with each other we have always done well together."

Conversations with Rangers boss Michael Beale helped the 25-year-old confirm his decision, despite showing strong form under current Canaries head coach David Wagner.

He scored five times in Wagner's first five league games at the helm, but couldn't resist interest from the former Queens Park Rangers chief.

The Pink Un: Kieran DowellKieran Dowell (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"Massive," said Dowell, asked about the impact of discussions with Beale on his decision. "Speaking with him so early, he showed how much he wanted to get the ball rolling with it. 

"I met him a couple of months ago and obviously not knowing too much about Scottish football he just sold it to me completely, how he wants to play, how I am going to fit into the team. It was a no-brainer in the end really."