BLUES boss Jim Magilton has spoken of his delight at landing Macedonian international Velice Sumulikoski.The 26-year-old was officially unveiled at a press conference at Portman Road at lunchtime with Town hoping to get international clearance and a work permit sorted in time for him to make his debut at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton has spoken of his delight at landing Macedonian international Velice Sumulikoski.

The 26-year-old was officially unveiled at a press conference at Portman Road at lunchtime with Town hoping to get international clearance and a work permit sorted in time for him to make his debut at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Magilton said: “Velice came in under the radar but we are convinced we are signing someone of absolute quality. Everything we have seen suggests that we have. He is a very good player and exactly the sort we want at this football club.

“Time will tell but he is an international footballer who knows the game and I'm chuffed to get him.

“We will continue to search and recruit similar players as we try and build a solid foundation.

“We have known about him and had an eye on him so when the opportunity for him to come we snapped him up.

“He is someone we think can help us get to where we ant to be and will be a fantastic addition to the club.”

Sumulikoski joined Town from Turkish side Bursaspor in a deal for around £600,000.

Chairman David Sheepshanks added: “Velice is a Macedonia international who has played 48 times for his country and due to get his 49th cap for his country next week.

“We have signed an undisclosed fee for Velice on a two and a half year deal with an option for an extra year which can only be exercised by the club.

“We are thoroughly delighted to have him.”

Sumulikoski joined after impressing over four days training with the Blues, despite interest from Blackburn Rovers.

He said: “I chose Ipswich because it is a famous club in our part of Europe with a bid tradition. I'm very happy with the organisation and they are nice people here.

“We had calls from Premier League clubs but decided to stay here after just two days.”

The midfielder has been dubbed 'the Balkan's Steven Gerrard' but he played that down and said: “Steven Gerrard is a very famous footballer and I hope to be able to play 50 per cent of Gerrard. I'm a very similar player who likes to play box to box.”