Town have confirmed the signings of Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards from Sunderland. Edwards has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, while Leadbitter has signed for three years.

The Black Cats have confirmed that they will receive up to £2.6 million for Leadbitter and £1.35 million for Edwards, although it is likely that smaller fees will be paid up front with further cash due after set numbers of appearances and promotion. The duo are amongst a number of Sunderland players to be linked with the Blues throughout the summer.

Chester-le-Street-born Leadbitter, who has won England caps at U20 and U21 levels, is a Sunderland fan from childhood, coming the youth system on Wearside.

The 5ft 9 in tall midfielder, who Keane compared to Paul Scholes in style during his time at the Stadium of Light, made his first team debut in the 2003/04 season and has now made 69 starts and 54 sub appearances, scoring 11 goals.

Sunderland’s longest-serving player until completing his move, Leadbitter spent time on loan at Rotherham in 2005.

Edwards, like Leadbitter a key member of Roy Keane’s Sunderland side, was reportedly watched by Town in 2004 during his time at Wrexham.

The Trinidad and Tobago international eventually moved on to Luton in 2005 on a free transfer, having joined Wrexham from Defence Force in his home country in 1999.

The 5ft 11in tall right-sided winger, who can also operate at full-back, joined Keane's Sunderland for £1.5 million in January 2007.

Capped 74 times by his country, scoring four goals, Edwards's first season at the Stadium of Light was hampered by a hamstring problem and then a broken leg. Those injuries limited the 30-year-old's Sunderland appearances to 37 starts and 19 games from the bench, yielding five goals.

Last season, Edwards, who is contracted to the Black Cats until 2010, spent a month on loan at Wolves, making five starts and one sub appearance but failing to score.

The midfielder, who played every minute of Trinidad and Tobago's games at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, including their 2-0 defeat to England, is currently away with his national side ahead of games against Honduras and the US.

Photo: Action Images

squiz added 14:55 - Sep 1 Great news, should both really improve the squad. Good that they have 2 weeks before the first match to bed in.
0

PimsOclock added 14:56 - Sep 1 Blinking marvelous!!!
0

PablosRightBoot added 14:56 - Sep 1 Left back, right back, centre half, left midfielder and centre forward and were rocking!
0

blueburridge added 14:56 - Sep 1 YES, two quality playerss, cant wait to see these play.... anymore singings on their way ?
0

Marshalls_Mullet added 14:56 - Sep 1 Fantastic news! Just need Wood to be confirmed. I dont think we need a new striker. Priskin will come good, and the signing of Edwards will allow Walters to revert to his original position of Centre Forward!! Back up is Counago and Wickham. Cant wait to get Norris back fit, and Civelli! We will have a great midfield in early 2010!! Leadbitter will be the new Matty Holland figure!

0

northdevonblue added 14:56 - Sep 1 fantastic news i can go and do some work now. things can only improve from here
0

blueoveru added 14:56 - Sep 1 Prem' here we come
0

BlueVic added 14:57 - Sep 1 excellent, particularly leadbitter well done, Keano, Evans and Clegg. top signings
0

MGNottsBlue added 14:57 - Sep 1 Excellent news now bring on some defenders and we should be ok.
0

MCGOODERZ added 14:57 - Sep 1 well done Roy now onto a centre half and hoping he doesn't get rid of too many
0

groovyASH added 14:59 - Sep 1 We need Wood to sign and then- hopefully- Keane can pull of a masterstroke and get Dos Santos in.
0

Jimmy86 added 14:59 - Sep 1 good signings, but gotta say im happier about edwards than leadbitter, but apparently keane likened him to scholes in his playing style so hopefully he will be pretty good. 2 hours left and as yet no news on any other deals, the defender wood, would be a good addition as would GIO !!!! I think there maybe something going on with that, on the official spurs site he is listed as being an ipswich player for 09/10 season !!!

0

dandanitfc87 added 15:00 - Sep 1 great news come on town couple more signing by 5 hopefully
0

BYRNE_16 added 15:01 - Sep 1 Get in....Great Siginings.....! Now for Gio - Hopefully!
0

superblues9 added 15:01 - Sep 1 Little bit behind sky sports reporting this !!
0

rayman_10 added 15:05 - Sep 1 Wood and Connolly and are defence is sorted!! Why not try and get Gio! Go for it Keano!!
0

alex12345 added 15:05 - Sep 1 Fantastic news and more on the way, Giovani Dos Santos is coming back to portman road you heard it here first it's official on the spurs website and I have a few sources from inside the club who have confirmed this too Premiership here we come and then we will hopefully sign Gio COYB
0

8ashblue added 15:05 - Sep 1 great stuff, but it's taken so long it reminded me of my fishing days of landing a 5lb carp on half lb line, very tricky!
0

Lincolnblue added 15:06 - Sep 1 Swwweet, not sure on Gio though but fingers crossed!!
0

moomoosereni added 15:07 - Sep 1 GIO!! GIO!! GIO!! GIO!! GIO!!
0

TractorBeezer added 15:08 - Sep 1 Great news. Another CB plus Dos Santos and we're goin g up!
0

NorthFar added 15:10 - Sep 1 That's good news. Both under 6ft though? I thought our manager was building the Land of the Giants here...
0

Lincolnblue added 15:10 - Sep 1 Looking at the spurs website it looks like he is on his way!! 2009/2010 Ipswich Town 2009/2010 Tottenham Hotspur 2008/2009 Ipswich Town
0

Havit_Blue added 15:10 - Sep 1 lovely jubbly......
0

dobbie73 added 15:12 - Sep 1 Double woop woop!!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls