IPSWICH have announced the loan signing of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
The newly-promoted Premier League side confirmed the England international’s arrival on Friday afternoon along with the permanent transfer of forward Sam Szmodics from Blackburn.
Phillips, 28, joined Man City for £42million in 2022 but has featured just 31 times for Pep Guardiola’s men, operating as a periphery player in his squad.
He suffered a nightmare loan stint at West Ham last season, but is now seeking a more positive chapter with Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich.
Speaking about joining The Tractor Boys, he told the club website: “This is a day I’ve been waiting a number of weeks for now and I’m very happy to be here.
“I’ve had some great conversations with players I know here and also with the manager, who I have obviously heard a lot about, and I’m excited to be here and be part of his team, playing how he likes to play the game.
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“The conversations with Kieran McKenna and Mark Ashton have been really good and I followed Ipswich’s season closely last year, so I know the journey the club has been on and it’s a great story which I’m now excited to be a part of.
“I want to play as many games as possible, enjoy playing football again and help the team win as many games as possible in the Premier League.”
Phillips, who will wear the No8 shirt, has 31 England caps but was left out of of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euros this summer after a lack of minutes at Man City and the torrid spell at West Ham.
Meanwhile, Szmodics comes in from Blackburn having scored 33 times in all competitions last season in a deal thought to be worth around £9m.
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He won the Championship Golden Boot and was named in the division’s team of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international, 28, who has signed a four-year deal, also netted three goals in Blackburn’s opening two games of the new campaign before leaving for Portman Road.
Ipswich’s new No23 said: “I am delighted to be here as an Ipswich Town player.
“There’s always been interest since I was a kid, but it just felt right this time with the challenge of the Premier League.
“After speaking to a couple of the lads, including Lewis Travis who was here last season, they just pushed me and said that I need to come and work under this manager, which is something I can’t wait to do.
“It’s every boy’s dream to play in the Premier League and I’ve always said to my friends, family and agents that I’ll get to the top one day.
“There’s nothing more I want than to score at Portman Road for Ipswich Town. I am over the moon to be here and looking forward to the season ahead.”
Ipswich kick off their first top-flight match in 22 years on Saturday lunchtime when they host Liverpool.
A host of changes are being made to Portman Road to abide by Premier League regulations.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
