Keane true to his word with Kennedy move

The former Republic of Ireland international was believed to have arrived in Suffolk yesterday and he will undergo a medical with the paperwork on his �75,000 move expected to be completed over the next couple of days.

“I am looking to bring in seasoned professionals,” Keane said. “Real men.”

He sees former Manchester City, Liverpool and Crystal Palace player Kennedy fitting the bill and someone who can fill the troublesome left-back position.

Although Town are keeping tight-lipped about Kennedy’s signing, Cardiff boss Dave Jones has confirmed the move.

“Mark was offered a two-year contract at Ipswich and they came in with an offer,” said Jones.

“We think it’s good business for us considering he’s 35 [sic] and with only a year on his contract.

“It’s also a sensible move for him, so it makes sense bearing in mind those two factors.”

Kennedy signed a one-year contract extension at Cardiff last January, but because of a transfer embargo in operation at the time this could not be registered until after the end of last season.

The former left-winger is keen to move to Ipswich with Cardiff’s players asked to defer their 2010/11 bonus and appearance money until next May.

Ipswich are still being linked with Cardiff striker Michael Chopra, but this is not a move that at the moment is set to happen.

Luciano Civelli, who for all intents and purposes is another ’newcomer’ to the Town squad this season after a year out through injury, came through another 45 minutes on Friday.

He was given permission to play in a behind-closed-doors under-20 game against Dutch champions FC Twente.

Town won 3-0 at their training ground in Playford Road with the Argentinian playing in his fourth game this pre-season.

New signing Conor Hourihane from Sunderland was also involved with Republic of Ireland Under-19 international striker Ronan Murray netting twice and trialist Robbie Burns scoring the other goal.