Ipswich Town have completed the signing of Matthew Pennington on loan from Everton.

The central defender, who can also play as a right back, joins on loan for the rest of the season and has taken the vacant No.5 shirt at Portman Road.

He will train with his new team-mates for the first time tomorrow and is eligible to make his debut in Sunday’s East Anglian derby against Norwich.

The 23-year-old spent last season on loan in the Championship with Leeds United, while he has also had temporary spells with Tranmere, Walsall and Coventry.

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He has made seven Premier League appearances for the Toffees.

Leeds, Blackburn and Wigan are said to have shown an interest in Pennington this summer, with the defender signing a new three-year contract with Everton as recently as May.

Pennington becomes the sixth loanee in manager Paul Hurst’s squad, with only five able to be included in a matchday squad. There is provision for Janoi Donacien’s loan from Accrington Stanley to be made permanent outside the transfer window for £750,000, once work permit issues have been resolved.

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Ipswich boss Paul Hurst has been trailing Curtis Tilt of Blackpool throughout the summer but, with the deal stalling once again earlier this week, they have not returned to try and force it through today.