SCOTT Loach is back where he belongs – and the Blues have got him for a bargain.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper last night completed his medical and will today seal his dream move to Ipswich Town for a cut-price fee of around �150,000 ending Paul Jewell’s summer-long search for a new stopper.

While Town fans were delighted with the capture, their emotions were shared by Loach who longed to return to Portman Road having spent four years in the club’s academy.

A source close to Loach said: “It is a dream come true for Scott and the support he has already been shown by Town fans is unreal. He is really excited.”

The former England Under-21 international, who has made more than 160 starts for Watford in his six years at Vicarage Road, was left out of the Hornets’ pre-season friendly against Boreham Wood on Tuesday after the two clubs agreed a fee.

And while reports surfaced yesterday that Blackburn Rovers were tabling a late bid, Loach had his heart set on joining the team he supported from childhood.

While his career at Watford stalled in the last season, and new boss Gianfranco Zola was happy to sanction the sale on the cheap, Loach has been one of the most highly-rated keepers outside the Premier League in recent years.

He was called up to the full England squad twice in 2010 – a year after Tottenham were linked with a move for him.

He becomes Jewell’s third summer signing after Elliott Hewitt and Luke Chambers with Jewell now setting his sights on landing a striker and two more new faces before next month’s Championship kick-off.

Having only spent �300,000 on fees to date, the manager might also have a slightly bigger purse to go after his next targets.

Loach’s arrival comes amid speculation that he could be joined by Richard Wright with the former Town keeper lined up for a fourth spell at the club – as part of Bryan Klug’s new-look academy coaching staff.