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

GTRKing added 13:12 - Jul 1 good keep em comming. Looks to be a gd player
0

icetruckiller added 13:13 - Jul 1 A decent signing by the sounds of it. 4 or 5 to come, would like it to be Treacey, Coppinger, SSL, Fauroun & Evans.
0

petieboy2011 added 13:17 - Jul 1 The bit that excites me the most is that he is apparently a "set piece specialist"!! Although Bullard showed his quality from set plays at the back end of last season, we havent had a decent set piece taker in the team for a long while. Hopefully this will end the frustration of not being able to clear the first defender on corners (*cough* Leadbitter *cough*). If this kid has a left peg a la Clapham or Venus did then we will see some treats from free-kicks too! Only time will tell I guess..............

0

ChiefXL added 13:18 - Jul 1 Wasn't Grange Hill set in North London?
0

itfc4eva added 13:28 - Jul 1 good news. he has good potential. cant wait to see him next season.
0

AndyUK61873 added 13:28 - Jul 1 Cromwellblue, I like your fron 2 think Chopra and Ellignton together are going to be a serious issue for many defences this year.
0

tractorgirl2 added 13:40 - Jul 1 It says on afew twitter sites that we are close on a loan deal for Wigan striker Connor Samon could that be the one signing next week?
0

DiamondGezzer added 14:01 - Jul 1 Love the way Paul Jewell is playing down his talent in the light that it might go to a tribunal. By all accounts a good player and acquasition.
0

Fatboy added 14:01 - Jul 1 "I think it's the first time the kid's been out of Liverpool" - doesn't he play away games then? :-) Actually, I don't think Tranmere is considered to be part of Liverpool. Good to have another set-piece specialist in the squad. Does anyone know if he takes penalties?
0

Lightningboy added 14:11 - Jul 1 Good luck Aaron - sounds like a great little signing..Really impressed with the players PJ is going for..i'm far more optimistic than I have been the previous 2 seasons. See Norwich have signed Bradley Johnson from Leeds on a free - he's someone I would've liked here..amazed Leicester didn't sign him!!
0

Lightningboy added 14:14 - Jul 1 Btw..I see west brom are open to offers for Boaz Myhill..he'd be worth a bid as our new GK..assuming we can offload Fulop...maybe a swap?
0

My_TFC added 14:14 - Jul 1 Sounds like a great signing, still slightly concered at Right Back.
0

Blue4life added 14:22 - Jul 1 We need to sign another Centre back at least really, would love st ledger and think a deal is still possible. I say this because I know a young player from Ipswich who simply says Delaney is clumsy and un reliable and he wasnt surprised when he scored that own goal against notts forrest lol. Faroun still a possibility, i would also be surprised if nugent signs but u never know; do think 1 other striker needed would not mind becchio (however you spell it from leeds) And would like to see us interested in Whittingham. As well as treacy... Looks out for some good signings soon I feel it will be an exciting July now the window is officially open from today onwards! COYB In Paul Jewell We Trust!

0

Bergholtblue added 14:51 - Jul 1 "We've got Joe Whight, We've got Mark Kennedy and we've got Aaron Cresswell for left-back" No mention for Shane O'Connor then! On his way out?
0

terry_butchers_twin added 14:52 - Jul 1 Just been on Preston website to see if any one leaving...........sadly main headline concerns Andy Murray!!!!!!!
0

Sindre94 added 14:56 - Jul 1 This this is a very very good signing. We've needed a quality set-piece foot for some time, and if we get a creative midfielder in (who nearly always has a good right set piece foot) we have no problems on any set-pieces, anywhere on the field. Glad to see that Jewell combines talent with experience.
0

jas0999 added 15:16 - Jul 1 Good signing, but for me we still need 5 players; RB, CB, 2X Midfield and a replacement for Wickham - particularly if Scotland leaves. For me 3 or 4 is not enough. RB surely has to be the priority now though.
0

tractaboy added 15:51 - Jul 1 Further deal expexted to completed next week? Like someone whos been on extended holiday because if internationals or Nugent as he's only just come back? welcome abourd Aaron, think you'll do well here.
0

TownOnTheUp added 16:32 - Jul 1 Shane O'Connor may be considered a LW by Jewel? Certainly better going forward than back.
0

tractorboy2434 added 16:45 - Jul 1 SSN reporting that Leicester have agreed fee for St Ledger, we still need some pace up front, Nugent would fit the bill but we are just not quick enough off the mark, is anyone else seriously worried about the state of our midfield, or should I say, lack of it, we need a creative midfielder and some one up front with some pace, Chopra and Ellington will not cut it without someone with some pace.

0

theblueginger added 17:30 - Jul 1 Sounds like a very good signing. Young, fast, tough-tackling and a set-peice specialist
0

Ebantiass added 18:15 - Jul 1 Good news and with paitence and good development this could be a dream signing.
0

Kuqicoo added 18:20 - Jul 1 Well done PJ!! Great signing :)
0

Handsome_Lizard added 19:57 - Jul 1 Superb signing PJ more like this please!
0

runaround added 21:05 - Jul 1 Welcome Aaron. Very glad to have you at ITFC. This signing excites me almost as much as the Chopra deal. PJ seems to mean business at the moment and I'm getting a bit greedy looking forward to the next 2 signings!!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls