THANKS Mark, Grant and Carlos.

That is the message from Town fans today after Messrs Kennedy, Leadbitter and Edwards had a helping hand in getting Michael Chopra to sign for the Super Blues.

The Evening Star can reveal that the trio of current Town stars played an integral part in convincing the striker to move from rivals Cardiff City.

It means the 27-year-old will fit straight into the Ipswich dressing room – a perfect start for the man hoping to fire the club into the Premier League next season.

Chopra said: “I spoke to Carlos and Grant. I knew them from Sunderland and Mark Kennedy, who I was with at Cardiff, and they all said what a good club it is.

“They told me about the ambition here and that was a key factor for me. What they said made an impression on me.

“I spoke to the manager obviously and liked his plans for the club. You can tell there is real ambition here.”

That will be music to the ears of Town supporters who see the signing of Chopra as the perfect boost for a summer of spending and then a push to the promised land.

And the striker knows all about the potential within his new squad after Ipswich did the double over Cardiff last season.

He explained: “There are good players here as well. I played against Ipswich last season and at home, we were on top in the first half but Marton Fulop made some great saves.

“Then Jimmy (Bullard) scored two great goals in the second half and that display showed the team’s ability. There is loads of potential here.”

Bullard might no longer be part of the squad, but Chopra saw enough to pen a three-year deal on Friday afternoon.