David Strihavka opened his Norwich account with an early goal against FC Zwolle, but his new side faltered, going down 2-1 to the Dutch side.
Strihavka scored from a Luke Chadwick pass in the eighth minute, but Zwolle went in level at half time with a late equaliser before forging ahead in a secon half that ended on a sour note.
On loan Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith left the ground on crutches after a late tackle saw him strain a calf. It remains to be seen how bad the injury is.