Norwich City striker Josh Sargent admits the Premier League is the place to be after enduring Championship play-off heartache.

The 24-year-old joined up with the US for their Copa America bid following a failed promotion push with the Canaries, and was an unused substitute in Sunday’s opening 2-0 group win over Bolivia.

Sargent continues to manage an on-going ankle issue, which curtailed his impact in a heavy play-off semi-final aggregate defeat to Leeds in May.

The forward departed in the closing stages of the first leg at Carrow Road, and was withdrawn at half-time at Elland Road a few days later, after a season blighted by a four-month injury lay-off.

The American’s 18 goal contributions in 26 league appearances either side of ankle surgery is expected to attract interest in this summer’s transfer window.

Sargent, who appeared as a guest on the latest Men in Blazers podcast, lived out his dream when he originally moved to Norfolk from Germany to play in the Premier League in 2021.

“I always told people it was my dream to play in the Prem. It is ultimately where I wanted to end up,” he said. “I was super happy and excited about the opportunity. In the Prem it is a further step up (from the Bundesliga) in terms of the speed of play and decision-making. Everyone is faster, stronger but the quality on the ball is insane.

"You feel if you make one mistake in the Prem the other team will punish you for it. You have to focus on every touch, every pass. It was not easy being a newly-promoted team. It felt like a lot of defending that season but overall it was a great experience and you learn what type of player you have to become to make it in that league.

"There were some bad moments in that first season, but also some good ones, but I think what I have done in the past two seasons has earned the respect of the Norwich fans.”

Sargent is now a firm terrace favourite, after his goals powered City into the last season’s Championship play-offs.

“It was very frustrating. Where we came from in the season, we were 17th in the table but to do all that work to get to the play-offs and for it to end like that was tough,” he said.

“We could all look at ourselves and realise we could have done better in those two games. You need to take a week or two off and get away from football and be with your family and then re-group and go again.

“The last couple of years were the first I have had playing regularly as a striker in my career. I was excited to go to the Championship and play a lot of games in that position and score a lot of goals. It has really helped me.

"I felt a little unfortunate to get that injury at the start of the season, because myself and the team were doing well and it was clicking for me. But after the injury I was able to pick up where I left off, even if the play-offs were disappointing.”