LUKE Chambers has revealed Paul Jewell’s reputation in the game played a big part in his decision to sign for Ipswich Town.

The ex-Nottingham Forest defender revealed he had deliberately spoke to people who had played under the Town boss and that the positive response was unanimous.

He explained: “He is well-known in the game. He has been very successful and his record speaks for itself. The lads I know who have played for him, everyone had good things to say about him.

“I am a pretty good judge of character so once I met him, it was clear in my mind what I wanted to do and what I wanted to be a part of.”

Jewell began talking with the 26-year-old in the early part of the summer but Chambers first started doubting his Forest future even before that.

The centre-back, who was not offered a new deal at the City Ground, said: “A lot was said over the summer obviously with me being out of contract and the problems Forest were in not being able to offer contracts.

“I made a little bit of a decision during the season that maybe I needed a new start and it all happened from there.

“Once I met the gaffer (Jewell) in the summer, he told me his plans for the season and what the chairman wants to do. They are all looking to push the team onto the next level and I want to be part of that.

“We are going to have to be patient but they have made it clear they are going to be ambitious this year and get some players in.”

Chambers passed his medical seven days ago but only put pen to paper yesterday – ensuring an anxious wait for Town fans desperate for him to become the club’s second summer signing after Elliott Hewitt.

But the defender said: “My mind was made up once I came down. I wouldn’t travel all this way to mess anyone about.

“I looked round everywhere and it is an attractive place to come and live. The training ground and the facilities at the stadium in this division are second to none.

“Once I had been down, it was only a matter of time before the contracts got sorted and we jiggled a few figures about. These things take time.”