RICHARD Naylor has joined Leeds United on a free transfer.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

RICHARD Naylor has joined Leeds United on a free transfer.

Ipswich Town's ended his 15-year-association by moving to his home town club on a two-and a half year deal following a successful loan spell.

The versatile 31-year-old finished his stint at Portman Road as the Blues' club captain and will be remembered fondly by Town fans for his unstinting loyal service.

Naylor made 373 appearances for Town after joining as a youth teamer and banged in 40 goals.

The most famous was scoring one of the goals in the 4-2 play-off final win over Barnsley to take Town into the Premier League where he played up front.

Converted back to his original position of centre-half by Joe Royle, Naylor continued to live up to his Bam Bam nickname with his non-nonsense defending.

His departure was the only significant bit of business Town did on transfer deadline day, although Kurt Robinson has extended his stay on loan at Rushden & Diamonds until the end of the season.

Ipswich signed just one player during the January window with Luciano Civelli joining from Argentine club Banfield in a deal that could rise to �2m.

Billy Clarke and Jordan Rhodes remain on loan at Northampton and Brentford respectively and can't be recalled until the initial month has been completed.

Town have again been linked with Exeter City keeper 22-year-old Paul Jones as a possible replacement for Shane Supple who has been told can go out on loan, with the 'emergency' loan' window opening next week.

While Ipswich have been quiet in the market many of their Championship rivals have been busier.

East Anglian rivals snapped up Old Firm duo Chris Killen from Celtic and Alan Gow from Rangers over the weekend.

Cardiff took Michael Chopra from Sunderland again and he joins until the end of the season.

Wolves have clinched Hearts skipper Christophe Berra, while Dean Shiels from Hibs has gone to Doncaster although his former team mate Rob Jones ahs not been allowed to join Nottingham Forest.

Claude Davis has switched from Derby County to Crystal Palace and Nigel Clough's first signing is expected to be Chris Porter from Motherwell.

Barnsley have added Michaal Mifusud on loan from Coventry along with Liverpool's Andy Hammill and Fulham's Iranian international Andranik Teymourin.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk