Town target Richard Wright has joined West Ham United on a free transfer from Everton. Welsh reports on Wednesday indicated that Wright had turned down the chance to join Cardiff with Portman Road thought to be his destination, however, the 29-year-old has instead opted to remain in the Premiership.

Wright was first linked with a return to Town in May with the Blues confirming that talks had taken place. The former Town keeper was released by Everton at the end of the season and stated his intention to find a club where he could play regular first team football, something which had been a rarity during his seasons at Goodison Park.

The twice-capped England man, apparently keen to move home to Suffolk, looked all set to return to Portman Road, but recently Town have sought to play down talk of his signing, presumably aware of West Ham's interest and the Premiership club's ability to beat any contract they could offer. The Hammers say Wright will provide competition for number one Robert Green.

Boss Jim Magilton has long wanted to add an experienced keeper to his squad and last season took Czech Jaroslav Drobný on a short-term contract and Mike Pollitt on loan from Wigan. Pollitt recently signed a new one-year contract with the Latics, while Drobný moved on to VfL Bochum and then Hertha Berlin after Town failed to offer him a long-term deal.

It now remains to be seen whether Magilton has other experienced keepers in mind or if he will take his squad into the new season with youngsters Lewis Price and Shane Supple vying for the position between the sticks.

Over the weekend, Town and a number of other clubs were linked with Dunfermline keeper Dorus de Vries in the Scottish press. Cardiff, Wigan Athletic, West Brom and Swansea City were also mentioned in connection with the former Dutch U21 international, although the Bluebirds have already denied any interest in the out-of-contract 26-year-old.

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