The transfer window closes at 11pm tomorrow night and Ipswich Town are looking to do business. Here we take a look at the five players that the Blues have already signed this month.
Jordan Spence
From: Free agent
Position: Right-back / right wing-back
Age: 26
Contract: End of the season
The former England Under-21 international came through the youth ranks at West Ham and make a handful of appearances in the Premier League. Following loan spells in the Championship with Scunthorpe, Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday he signed for League One side MK Dons in 2013. After automatic promotion followed by a quickfire relegation, he was released last summer and was without a club for six months.
Strong and athletic, his style resembles that of Tyrone Mings. Produced an encouraging debut display in the 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield. He said: “These last few months have made me hungrier to fulfil my potential and be the player that I know I can be.”
Kieffer Moore
From: Forest Green Rovers
Fee: £10k
Position: Striker
Age: 24
The Torquay-born 6ft 6in striker started out in non-league with Truro City and Dorchester Town before earning a move to Championship side Yeovil Town. The Glovers endured back-to-back relegations during his two seasons there, but he caught the eye of Mick McCarthy – along with Tom Lawrence – in a game against Ipswich on a Tuesday night in March, 2014.
A spell at Norwegian club Viking followed, then a switch to ambitious National League side Forest Green. He fell out of favour at the high-flying non-leaguers and was loaned to divisional rivals Torquay just before Christmas. Tall and muscular he attacks the ball bravely and, as the old cliche goes, has ‘good feet for a big man’. Has produced two encouraging cameo appearances for the Blues so far – at Huddersfield and Preston.
Toumani Diagouraga
From: Leeds United
Fee: Half season loan
Position: Central midfield
Age: 29
The Paris-born powerhouse joined Watford as a teenager but, after several loan spells, moved to League Two side Hereford in 2008. Earned a move to Championship club Peterborough, but it was at Brentford where he really kick-started his career. Played a major role in helping the Bees win promotion from League One and then subsequently finish fifth in the second-tier. A move to Leeds followed but he has fallen completely out of favour with new boss Garry Monk. Mick McCarthy wants him to be a positive box-to-box player for the Blues. He produced some good touches in his debut at Preston on Saturday before understandably tiring in what was his first senior appearance in six months.
He said: “This is the fresh start I need.”
Steven Taylor
From: Free agent
Position: Centre-back
Age: 31
The experienced defender made more than 200 appearances for Newcastle United – the majority of them in the Premier League. He recently became a free agent after his contract at MLS side Portland Timbers was prematurely cancelled, by mutual consent, after just five months in America.
Dogged by injuries throughout his career, he hasn’t made more than 10 league appearances in a season since 2012/13. Proved his fitness during a trial spell with Town and has been offered a deal until the end of the season. Will act as cover with Adam Webster ruled out for the rest of the season. Still awaiting international clearance.
Mick McCarthy said: “He organises the back four, he’s a talker and I have to say we need a bit of that.”
Danny Rowe
From: Macclesfield Town
Position: Winger
Fee: £100k
Age: 24
Came through the youth ranks at Stockport County and made his debut, in League One, at Leeds United. Has played in the top-flight of non-league for the last six seasons, the last four at Macclesfield. The younger brother of Doncaster winger Tommy, he has scored six goals for the play-off chasing side this season. Quick and direct, he has a dazzling highlights reel.
He said: “I know I have a lot to prove but I’ll be working as hard as I can to show everyone what I can do.”
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