THIS time last year, Ipswich Town new boy Aaron Cresswell was warmly welcomed to Ipswich Town by being shoved along the corridors of a Holland hotel in a laundry bin.

The high jinks were led and filmed by fellow young defender Tommy Smith, who posted the video evidence on social networking website Twitter during the club’s pre-season tour.

Last week, back at the same hotel just outside of Eindhoven, Cresswell took it upon himself to welcome the latest youthful addition to Town’s back four – Elliott Hewitt.

With the 18-year-old right-back expected to be out until September at the earliest following hip surgery, Cresswell explained: “He is working in the physio room but came to Holland to meet all the lads.

“He was in the same position as I was last year – I had never moved away from Liverpool, he had never moved from where he was (Macclesfield).

“I think he has settled in well, he is only a young lad and hopefully he will be ready in the next couple of weeks.

“He has just got to get his head down and work hard, like we all have to do.”

Meanwhile, new signing Luke Chambers – who could potentially lead a youthful back five including Scott Loach, Hewitt, Smith and Cresswell for years to come – says he has also taken quickly to life with Town.

Understood to have already become a big character about the club, the 26-year-old said: “The lads have made me feel very welcome. I’m thankful to them for helping me settle in, even though I’m the sort of character that will try and get settled as soon as possible.”

Cresswell added: “We have always had a good spirit around the place. There are a few experienced players and a few younger players too. I am sure the gaffer will bring in a few more before the season starts and we can all gel together.

“It is always nice for the whole team to get away as we are in and around each other 24-7. The trip to Holland was good for team bonding.”