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Ipswich Town confirm signing of Grant Ward from Tottenham Hotspur
Grant Ward battles with Jonas Knudsen at Portman Road last season. Photo: Steve Waller - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Ipswich Town have confirmed the permanent signing of pacey winger Grant Ward from Tottenham Hotspur.
It’s understood the Blues have paid a fee of around £600k for the 21-year-old, with additional clauses giving the deal potential to eclipse £700k. He had only just signed a new two-year contract with Spurs back in February.
Ward – a versatile attacker who primarily plays down the right – becomes Mick McCarthy’s second big summer signing following the earlier arrival of centre-back Adam Webster, also 21, from League Two club Portsmouth for £700k plus Matt Clarke.
He signs a three-year deal at Portman Road, with the club holding the option of a further year on top of that.
Business may have been slow this summer, but the Blues – who have a clutch of young talent emerging from their academy and creative duo Teddy Bishop and David McGoldrick available again following long-term injuries – have now added two young and hungry players to their squad ahead of the Championship opener against Barnsley, at Portman Road, on Saturday. Neither are on loan either.
Ward, born in London, came through the youth ranks at White Hart Lane but hasn’t made a first team appearance for the club. He had loan spells at MLS club Chicago Fire in 2014 and Coventry in 2015 before joining Rotherham, in the Championship, for the entirety of last season.
After starting the campaign in central midfield under manager Steve Evans, Ward really came into his own after Neil Redfearn moved him to the right wing. There he was able to fully utilise his lightening speed and desire to always take his marker on.
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Ward ended up making 23 starts and 13 substitute appearances for the South Yorkshire club, claiming end of season awards for ‘Young Player of the Season’ and ‘Goal of the Season’. New Millers boss Alan Stubbs had been keen to keep the winger at the club.
It’s understood the Blues are still interested in signing five-cap Belgian international left-winger Roland Lamah, 28, following his impressive trial appearances against Charlton and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in pre-season.
