Ipswich Town have signed young Danish international left-back Jonas Knudsen after activating a buy-out clause in his Esbjerg contract.

The 22-year-old – who has been capped twice by his country at senior level – already has more than 100 appearances under his belt at Danish top-flight level having broken through into the Esbjerg first team at the age of 17.

After being brought to Town’s attention by an agent, the Blues studied video footage before assistant manager Terry Connor twice visiting Denmark to watch him in action. Sufficiently impressed, they activated a buy-out clause in his contract – reportedly in the region of £250-350k.

Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, as well as a number of French clubs, had also been tracking his progress.

Knudsen says it is a dream come true to play in England and has now set his sights on helping Town into the Premier League.

He has put pen to paper on a three year contract at Portman Road today, with a year option - joining the club for an undisclosed fee.

“It is a great feeling to be an Ipswich Town player and I can’t wait to start playing for the team,” Jonas told the club website.

“I have always watched English football and have dreamed of playing here and now I’m going to have the chance to do that. It’s a really exciting move for me.

“I saw some Ipswich games last season and know the team was near the top of the league. I think we can have another good year and hopefully get into the Premier League. That is one of my big hopes - to get in the Premier League with Ipswich.

“I played with (former Blue’s player) Thomas Gaardsoe at Esbjerg for three years and he is a friend of mine.

“He played here at Ipswich and he told me what a great club it is and that the town was good as well. He said it would be a good move for me.”

Town fans should get the first chance to see Knudsen in a blue shirt in Saturday’s friendly against Utrecht at Portman Road, kick-off 3.00pm.

The 6ft 1in player is known as a long throw specialist, and underwent his medical at the club earlier today.

“I can throw the ball a long way,” he said. “Someone in Denmark said I will be the new [Rory] Delap.”

It is understood that Knudsen is one of three players that Ipswich hope to have signed by Monday – the other two positions being winger and central midfield. Trialist Giles Coke is believed to be the latter.

In addition, Town could yet offer a deal to another one of their trailists, 31-year-old Guinea winger Larsen Toure, should he continue to impress in training and in tomorrow’s home friendly.

And Hearts defender Jordan McGhee very much remains a target, although it remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck for the Scotland Under-21 captain – a player who the likes of Aston Villa and Swansea are also tracking.

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