When Lewis arrived from Luton in the summer of 2014, aged 16, Norwich had just been relegated from the top flight.
While the first team and academy are now closely-knit at the club’s new-look Colney training ground, the link was not as evident at a time when the intense pressure of either remaining in, or returning to, the Premier League took priority.
“It’s a world of difference. When I first came the first team felt like a million miles away,” Lewis said.
“I feel like now the younger lads can really look up and see the first team. That bridge has maybe been brought forward a little bit, and gives them a better goal to aim for.”
Norwich, by their own admission, did not use their Premier League millions to invest heavily in youth facilities, so earlier this year went to supporters and board members to raise the £5m needed to build a new academy.
That, coupled with having a head coach in Daniel Farke who has a brief and desire to play talented youngsters, is leading to several homegrown players making their mark.
“It’s just trust – I feel like if you’re good enough here the boss will put you in,” said Lewis.
“He shows the trust and if you repay him he’ll keep you in and you can keep kicking on with the team.”
