Ipswich Town have completed the signing of teenage striker Aaron Drinan from Irish side Waterford on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The 19-year-old has been training with Blues since October, but has now completed the move to Portman Road for an undisclosed fee following international clearance and could be involved in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at home to Championship rivals Sheffield United.

• Drinan already dubbed ‘Murph’ by impressed team-mates

“He’s really impressed me,” Town boss Mick McCarthy told the club website.

“He hasn’t looked out of place in training at all. The only frustrating thing is that he hasn’t been able to play but he’s ready to go now.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Aaron Drinan, pictured during his days with Cork City, has been compared to former Blues striker Daryl Murphy. Picture: Doug MinihaneAaron Drinan, pictured during his days with Cork City, has been compared to former Blues striker Daryl Murphy. Picture: Doug Minihane (Image: Doug Minihane)

Drinan, who will wear the number 26 shirt, told the club website: “I’m absolutely buzzing.

“I’ve been over here since October and not being able to play any games is tough but eventually now I can start getting going and hopefully help the team.

“I always knew it was going to go through so I just put my head down and training and tried to work as hard as I can to try and get into the first-team and hopefully get a few minutes.”

Following in the footsteps of Daryl Murphy, the former Town striker having also started out at Waterford, Drinan added: “They’ve been very welcoming. I got the nickname ‘Murph’ a few weeks after I’d arrived.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mick McCarthy and Luke Chambers have been impressed by what they've seen from Aaron Drinan. Photo: Doug MinihaneMick McCarthy and Luke Chambers have been impressed by what they've seen from Aaron Drinan. Photo: Doug Minihane (Image: Doug Minihane)

“‘Murph’ has had a good career at Championship level and I’d be doing good to replicate what he’s done. Hopefully I can do better than what he’s done. That’s the aim.”