Sam McCallum believes his move to Sheffield United represented the best next step towards Premier League football.

The left-back departed Norwich City this summer upon the expiration of his deal, despite the Canaries holding talks to potentially extend his stay in Norfolk.

Those conversations did not prove fruitful, and McCallum opted to join newly relegated Sheffield United despite strong interest from elsewhere, including Championship rivals Stoke City.

Asked why Bramall Lane was the natural destination, McCallum explained that he views the move as another step up in his career after a four-year spell at City.

“There were other offers on the table. I said it in my first interview – it’s a massive club,” McCallum told BBC Radio Sheffield.

“I know what the gaffer wants to do. He wants to play football. At times, we will put teams under pressure and go longer when we need to. At the end of the day, I want to play football and I think this is the right place to do it.

“Being at Norwich, this is another step up. I have to come in, play my football, hopefully impress the manager and go from there.”

Chris Wilder brought McCallum to the club to compete for the left-wing-back spot with Rhys Norrington-Davies in the hope of masterminding an immediate top-flight return next season.

The Blades recruitment drive has also seen them bring ex-Ipswich striker Kieffer Moore, Callum O’Hare after his Coventry exit and versatile former Leeds man Jamie Shackleton to the club alongside McCallum.  

Sheffield United will be among the favourites for promotion this season, and McCallum is hoping that top-flight ambition can burn bright within their playing squad.

“As a footballer, everyone wants to get to the top and for me that is the Premier League,” McCallum said.

McCallum made 50 appearances for Norwich City prior to his exit earlier this summer.McCallum made 50 appearances for Norwich City prior to his exit earlier this summer. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

“The boys have just come down from there and everyone wants to bounce back up to be playing there next season.

“Coming down from the Premier League, all we want to do is to come back up. That is the aim of the season.”

McCallum’s exit, alongside Dimi Giannoulis, means that Norwich are active in the market for left back reinforcements. They are interested in Manchester City’s Callum Doyle as well as looking in Portugal for targets having been linked to Famalicao's Francisco Moura and Casa Pia's Leonardo Lelo.