Town boss Paul Jewell says new left-back Aaron Cresswell has been brought in from Tranmere because of his potential. The out-of-contract 21-year-old signed a three-year deal with Town this morning and joined his new team-mates for the first day of pre-season training at Playford Road.

Jewell says he’s a player who caught the eye of the club’s management team last season: “We watched a lot of games and he was one that came up. He’s not the biggest in the world, but he’s got a really good left foot. He’s got a lot to improve on but coming here we think we can improve him.

“He’s terrific on set plays. He’s got a lot to learn stepping up a level, but sometimes if you don’t take a chance, no one ever steps up.

“He’s a player that Ipswich fans won’t know a lot about. He has potential, we’ve brought in potential, and we’ve also got Joe Whight and Mark Kennedy at left-back.

“He’s a player that might not get people off their seat, but I think he’s going to be a decent player.”

Jewell, who spoke to former Town striker and ex-Tranmere coach David Lowe before making the signing, says even he has trouble understanding his fellow Liverpudlian’s accent: “I think it’s the first time the kid’s been out of Liverpool. He looks like someone out of Grange Hill!

"I spoke to him on the phone last night and I couldn’t understand him! I told him to slow down. I don’t know what I must sound like!”

The Blues boss expects talks to continue with Tranmere regarding the compensation due because the full-back is under 24 years of age, two offers having been rejected by the League One club: “We’re still talking to Tranmere trying to negotiate something for him, but he’s signed for us today and he’ll be our player from today.

“If we can’t agree a fee with Tranmere that will go to a tribunal, but hopefully the clubs can come to an agreement.”

Jewell says he feels he now has his left-back options sorted: “We’ve got Joe Whight, We’ve got Mark Kennedy and we’ve got Aaron Cresswell for left-back. Although two of them are young and one of them is experienced, I think between them they will do all right.”

Cresswell himself says he had no hesitation in joining the Blues: "It was the easiest decision ever to come here. I enjoyed my time at Tranmere and it will be hard to leave home but joining Ipswich is something else.

"It's a big club and it's a big step up for me but I'm delighted to have the opportunity to take it. It's the next stage in my career and I'm ready for the challenge."

the 5ft 7in tall full-back says he spoke to one-time Town loanee Alan Mahon, who played alongside him at Prenton Park, before making his decision: "He couldn't speak highly enough about the club.

"We had a good chat and he told me what a great club Ipswich is and that I should go for it.

"It's a Premier League set-up, when you look around the training ground and the stadium. It's massive, certainly bigger than what I've been used to with Tranmere! I can't wait to get going."

Jewell says that while the situation could change depending on possible exits — although none are currently imminent - he’s looking to bring in at least another three or four players before the start of the season with further deals expected to be completed next week.

Photo: Action Images

TheRef added 11:49 - Jul 1 possitive signing
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the_egg added 11:50 - Jul 1 Yep good stuff, plenty of other clubs in for him including WBA so delighted he chose us. Also good to hear more signings imminent.
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unknownicr added 11:53 - Jul 1 Good signing. Shame that O'Conner seems to not be in the left back picture. Unless PJ see's him more of a left midfielder.
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footyblue added 11:54 - Jul 1 lets hope he fullfills his potential then xx
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whoppit added 11:54 - Jul 1 I actually like this one !!! A young up and coming hungry player with something to prove.
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bontcho added 11:56 - Jul 1 Phil, did PJ say he expected another signing next week is that your understanding?
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Tillz9 added 11:56 - Jul 1 Think PJ was being a bit clever here. Talking about being brought in for his potential etc etc rather than saying he has been brought in to play and excite the fans. May have one eye on the tribunal !!
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ITFCMonk added 11:56 - Jul 1 Seems like a good player, keep up the good work PJ!!
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robdaful added 11:57 - Jul 1 A good signing. Lets keep them coming.
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Ipswich24 added 11:57 - Jul 1 If we bring in another four what about Bullard, Treacy, Hauroun and Nugent
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Tillz9 added 11:58 - Jul 1 Monk - u will have to replace the ? Now
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oldtimer3 added 11:58 - Jul 1 Nice one, keep them coming, replacement for Norris next?
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suffolkpoker added 12:05 - Jul 1 i love this quote by PJ "He looks like someone out of Grange Hill!" lmao
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carsey added 12:08 - Jul 1 Will some body tell me what is happening with Shane O'Connor - he is left footed, comparatively slight build, quick and aggressive all the things PJ apparently likes about Cresswell. From what I saw of him he plays prpoer football, on the grass and has the added bonus of being good in the snow.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 12:12 - Jul 1 Blimey Whoppit! Have you had a bang on the head? Must have got up too quickly and banged your head on that big black cloud!! It will be interesting to see if the £8.1m for CW has been added to the initial £7.5m that ME was going to provide. Take away the £1.5 for Chops and say, £500,000 for Cresswell & by my reckoning, that still leaves £13.6 m. I reckon PJ can do some serious damage with that amount of money. COYB!!

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cromwellblue added 12:21 - Jul 1 So next years tems looks like this GK - TBC Defence - Cresswell, Delaney, Ingamarsson, TBC Midfield - Carson, Drury, TBC, TBC Strikers - Chopra, Ellington 4 to come them.......
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TotalBlue added 12:22 - Jul 1 Quick someone ring Phil Ham Whoppits account has been hacked someone is posting for him surely!!!!!!!!!!
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Big_Foot_Blue added 12:23 - Jul 1 KeanoWillDoIt Not arguing with you but where did you get the original £7.5Million transfer kitty from?
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Blue4life added 12:26 - Jul 1 I think those 4 players should be, St Ledger (as reports in Preston say There has been no bid from anyone yet), Treacy, Faroun, Nugent.
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Royalblue added 12:33 - Jul 1 Well done Phil on breaking this 24 hours ahead of everyone else.
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Big_Foot_Blue added 12:34 - Jul 1 If Nugent comes here I will eat my shoe, Faroun I would like but its gone quiet and lets be honest none of us know how good he is, Treacy would be brilliant based on last seasons form, St Ledger would be very good to go with Delaney, Smith and Ingimarsson but concerned Leicester may well steal him from us. I think we should breace ourselves for at least a couple of signingswho as yet we either havent been mentioned with or only linked to very briefly and forgotten about.

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chrisw2045 added 12:39 - Jul 1 Phil, Is it me or does that look like Alan Quinn at training today at the back of the photo?
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daniel9624 added 12:41 - Jul 1 Sorry more shocking than our beloved team signing a hungry young player from the lower leagues,with no connection to Sunderland or Ireland, i am still picking myself up off the floor from a positive comment from Whoopit, good time must be on the horizon!
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hodgie1989 added 12:46 - Jul 1 Doesn't sound good for Shane O'Connor if he isnt even mentioned as a left back :(
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HolbrookBlue added 13:10 - Jul 1 Looks like a good move. Compensation for Tranmere should be reasonable as they developed him. Same applied to us with Wickham. This sort of deal encourages the development of British talent, something Ipswich has always been proud of.
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