Ipswich Town have signed defender Cameron Carter-Vickers on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season.

The athletic 20-year-old started 17 games in the Championship for high-flying Sheffield United in the first half of the campaign and played in the Blades’ recent FA Cup 1-0 win at Portman Road.

He was recalled from his season-long loan spell by Spurs though with Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder looking to freshen up his squad this month.

Born in Southend, Carter-Vickers joined Tottenham at the age of 11. The son of former NBA basketball player Howard Carter, he has been capped once by the USA senior side.

East Anglian Daily Times: Cameron Carter-Vickers started 17 Championship games for Sheffield United in the first half of the season. Photo: PACameron Carter-Vickers started 17 Championship games for Sheffield United in the first half of the season. Photo: PA (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

This signing is likely to see Town let long-serving defender Tommy Smith join MLS side Colorado Rapids.

Speaking after completing his move, the Tottenham youngster said: “I didn’t expect to be called back. I thought I would be at Sheffield for the season but then I got told Ipswich wanted me.

“It’s all happened very quickly but I know Ipswich are a big club and it’s an exciting opportunity for me.

East Anglian Daily Times: Cameron Carter-Vickers trained with his team-mates for the first time on Friday after joining Ipswich Town. Picture: ITFCCameron Carter-Vickers trained with his team-mates for the first time on Friday after joining Ipswich Town. Picture: ITFC (Image: Archant)

“I looked at the Championship table and Ipswich are only four points off the play-offs so hopefully I can help the team push on and compete for the top six places.

“I’ve really enjoyed Championship football. It’s a demanding league and there are a lot of big clubs in the division. Ipswich are one of them and I’m thankful for the chance to come and play here.”

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was honest in admitting his reasons for sending Carter-Vickers back to Spurs, after the Blades signed Ryan Leonard from Southend, but was full of praise for a player who featured regular for his side during the first half of the season.

“We’ve got a fantastic relationship with Spurs, Wilder said. “We wanted to be up front and honest with them, his parent club.

“Cam has done great and was a big part of what we’ve done at the start of the season. But with Ryan coming in, and with Bash (Chris Basham) being here, I couldn’t see him getting in regularly.

“Ryan gives us that flexibility, like Bash, even though we’d like to nail them down to a position and are trying to get ‘like for like’ throughout the squad.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Cameron Carter-Vickers, pictured with Aaron Drinan, Martyn Waghorn and Luke Hyam. Picture: ITFCCameron Carter-Vickers, pictured with Aaron Drinan, Martyn Waghorn and Luke Hyam. Picture: ITFC (Image: Archant)

“We want to thank Cam for everything,” he added. “Because, like I said, he’s done really well for us. With young players, you often get dips here and there. His approach and professionalism, though, has been first class. I can’t praise the lad enough.”

The Blues are also expected to announce the signing of 29-year-old midfielder Stephen Gleeson later today. It’s now understood that the four-cap Republic of Ireland international will be released by Birmingham City and sign a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Both players could be involved at Bolton tomorrow.

East Anglian Daily Times: The new signing could be involved at Bolton on Saturday. Picture: ITFCThe new signing could be involved at Bolton on Saturday. Picture: ITFC (Image: Archant)