IPSWICH TOWN: Saturday August 21 is a date that ex-Blues defender David Wright has clearly marked in his diary.

He has signed for Crystal Palace and he might have a point to prove saying that he is pleased to be at a club that has made him feel welcome.

August 21 is the day his new club entertain the Blues in a Championship fixture at Selhurst Park.

And the 30-year-old, who was released by Town at the end of last season and this week signed a two-year contract for the London-based club, cannot wait.

Wright admitted that he was devastated to be told by Ipswich boss Roy Keane that he was surplus to requirements, but he is too respectful and polite to criticise his former employers.

But he said: “The Ipswich game is coming up soon after the season starts and is one I’m particularly looking forward to.

“Everything about Palace has been positive and manager George Burley has made me feel wanted.

“The move came about very quickly and things snowballed after speaking to George on the phone.”

Wright is delighted to be at a club managed by ex-Ipswich manager Burley, and he sees it as an exciting new chapter to his football career.

“It has been brilliant and it’s a big new challenge.

“Palace have gone through a lot over the last 12 months, but they say that if the pain doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger.

“The manager has a blank canvas to work on, and there is a really positive feel around the place.

“I’ve met my former Ipswich team mate Alan Lee and he stressed how good the spirit has been in the dressing room.

“When the gaffer was at Ipswich he did an incredible job and I spoke to players who played under him there and they had nothing but good words to say about him

“He told me he wants to play a passing game, moving the ball around quickly, which suits me and he will be bringing in more players to suit the way he wants to play.”

Wright plans to keep his two children at St Joseph’s junior school in Ipswich although he might move his family into mid-Essex to be closer to Selhurst Park.

He served Ipswich well having played 128 games and scored five goals including a spectacular winner against Derby County they won Town their first game of the season in late October last season.

“I loved wearing the Ipswich shirt,” emphasised Wright. “And I had three and a half really good years at Portman Road.

“It is a great club with a great set of lads in the squad.”

There is no chance of goalkeeper Richard Wright following suit and moving from Ipswich to Palace with Burley confirming: “We’re only looking for a number two behind Julian Speroni and I don’t think Richard would be interested in coming on that basis.”