Town have announced that Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has signed a three-year deal, the Blues having agreed a fee of £1.5 million rising to £2 million with Arsenal for the 20-year-old late last week.

Emmanuel-Thomas told the club site: "Obviously it came to the stage in my career at Arsenal where I needed to be playing games. I had a decision to make and Ipswich seemed the right place for me.

"I had a good time at Arsenal and I'm going to miss all the boys, but my future is about me and I needed to move on.

"I was impressed with what Paul Jewell had to say - and the team he is building. I know he is looking to bring in more players and it's the club's ambition to get in the Premier League. That's my goal as well - to play in the Premier League with Ipswich."

The Blues' new signing added on Twitter: "Thank you to Arsenal FC for everything they have done for me and [for] making me the player I am today. I wish everyone there all the best. Peace and love.

"My new club and home Ipswich Town. 6th August, let's get this season started! Let's go Tractor Boyz!"

The Forest Gate-born midfielder or striker joined the Arsenal academy at the age of eight, progressing through the ranks playing in virtually every position. He skippered the Gunners’ U18s to the 2009 FA Youth Cup at the age of 16 having already broken into the reserves.

The 6ft 3in tall England U17 and U19 international, who played under former Town coach Chris Kiwomya as an Arsenal youngster, made only one senior Gunners start, in an FA Cup tie, plus a further single Premier League sub appearance as well as three more cup games from the bench.

Last season, Emmanuel-Thomas scored two goals in nine starts and seven sub appearances during his spell at Cardiff with Michael Chopra, in addition to his four brief sub appearances for Arsenal. The 20-year-old previously played in the Championship during loan spells with Blackpool and Doncaster.

Both today's new signings plus Ívar Ingimarsson, who is over his thigh strain, are in the squad for tonight's friendly at Colchester (KO 7.45pm).

Town are set to take more than 1,500 fans to the Weston Homes Community Stadium with tickets available on the night from the Colchester Ticket Office, not on the turnstiles. The Blues have been allocated a stand which holds 1,900 with additional capacity if required.

Parking at the stadium is very limited and fans are advised to buy a permit in advance via the Colchester United Ticket Office on 0845 437 9089. There is also a shuttle bus service, which runs from Colchester Station, costing £1.50.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

mo_itfc added 16:07 - Jul 26 he looks very similar to a man who was on the 8:20 to London Liverpool Street.. I hope it isn't the same person, because the man was in the same carriage as me... and he would not stop playing music on his phone loudly!! which was not pleasant! Wouldn't even stop when people complained or when the conductor ask him to stop..
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cornishnick added 16:09 - Jul 26 The Balotelli of the Championship
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stringtheory added 16:11 - Jul 26 Exciting - there's been some hard graft behind the scenes. Well done PJ, well done SC.
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weddings added 16:13 - Jul 26 I was getting a bit worried 2day with no news.Now i am happy..... COYB......
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RM909 added 16:14 - Jul 26 A former Man Utd player on one wing (Martin) and now a former gunner on the other with Carson coming on as well our wide positions are looking better than they have done in years!
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CambridgeBlue added 16:16 - Jul 26 Martin was a former Man U player over 2 years ago and hasn't done a lot since...
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Lightningboy added 16:19 - Jul 26 No wonder this deal's dragged on - he's obviously in the middle of having his haircut.
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Tractamatt added 16:20 - Jul 26 wicked news. announced at last. Now for 2 defenders a creative midfielder and a groundsman.
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wrightyblue added 16:20 - Jul 26 Is he going to be playing out wide or as a striker??
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ramseyn added 16:20 - Jul 26 Think he's going to need a crash course on Suffolk dialect though, check out his tweets on Twitter, what kind if language is he talking? Is this how our kids communicate nowadays, dear god what is society coming to!
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ramseyn added 16:24 - Jul 26 And he was on Twitter with his town shirt, he's since changed it back to arsenal, hhmmmm.
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8ashblue added 16:25 - Jul 26 At 6 3" he adds much needed height to a very small squad and a very welcome addition. Just need to add young CB, bullard and maybe RFB and it will almost be complete!!
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nysully added 16:36 - Jul 26 Wonder if they asked Chops his opinion on JET since he spent some time with his last year. Her looks like he will bring some "attitude" to the team.....
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bbkingsumday added 16:39 - Jul 26 Breedinblue yep I saw that comment but if he has moved to play, has something to prove and wants to get us into the prem then that's fine by me. Also I think we all know we need a couple of defenders but going on PJ's signings so far im very confident he will sort this
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mark1969 added 16:39 - Jul 26 At last 2 more great additions seems like JET is ready to get playing and scoring for Ipswich . Well done to all those involved ! Lets stuff Colchester tonight and not look back.Being greedy still need the right footed big pacy centre half and the creative goalscoring midfielder .Add in some luck with injuries and we are in with a good chance !
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GTRKing added 16:41 - Jul 26 well done we going up up & up. 1 CB RB 1 CM then we sorted till we get premoted
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BYRNE_16 added 16:41 - Jul 26 nysully? why does he "look" like he will bring some "attitude" to the team? What are implying?? Great Addition to the squad. Welcome J.E.T. Looking forward to the season starting!
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nysully added 16:52 - Jul 26 @Byrne_16 - read the Arsenal blogs, reports are what has held him back is his work ethic and attitude. He has gone from the captain of their Youth Cup winning team to being sold to us for 1.5m, I hope he comes here knowing he has something to prove and this kick up the arse is received in the right manner, do you think 2 years ago his vision of his future was in Championship Football, hardly, I am sure he thought he was the second coming of Thierry Henry. Come on JET, make Arsenal regret this move!

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Johnny_Boy added 16:52 - Jul 26 Seriously, what's going on with that hair. Man up.
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Adrian_Paz_Uses_Daz added 17:03 - Jul 26 Boom. Tidy signing, with gash hair, that's the only negative
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Hermann_eats_puffin added 17:05 - Jul 26 Welcome to ITFC and best of luck for the season ahead. I think that this is a great signing by the club and well done to PJ and Clegg. We've got to remember that he's only 20 and as fans we shouldn't put the pressure on expecting him to bang in goals galore in every game and then start getting on his back if it doesn't happen immediately. He needs a run of games and the support of the manager plus fans and then I think he'll do very well for us. I'm looking forward to the season ahead and seeing what he can do in a Town shirt. Bring on Bristol City! COYB

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Doctor_Albran added 17:08 - Jul 26 Been talking to the Arsenal Season Ticket Holder who sits next to me at work and he said that at the start of last season Wenger stated that JET had everything and that he was knocking on the first team door for a game. Obviously hasn't panned out that way for him and suggests that there might have been some problems (no injuries so why didn't he get a game), however, he comes here with for a fresh start and (if Wenger is to be believed) full of talent. Will probably enjoy being a big fish in a little pond (and right now we are a little pond), but it's all to our advantage. Question is: Winger or Striker? I think it's time to send Priskin hunting barn doors with his banjo!

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WoodfordTim added 17:11 - Jul 26 So pleased that we are getting in so much class - well done PJ & thanks to Mr. Evans & Mr. Clegg, well done. Whatever was Roy Keane going on about - perhaps potential players didn't fancy coming to Ipswich, not because of our geographical location, but because they didn't fancy playing for him! PJ is the man! COYB!
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IITFC1948 added 17:11 - Jul 26 why are people worried about his hair?surely its about how he play Im no youngster and it dont bother me what he look like as long has he play
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Mark added 17:14 - Jul 26 Fantastic news, well done to Jewell and all involved. When was the last time we signed a player this exciting?! What is the transfer fee I wonder? TWTD states "£1.5 million rising to £2 million " whereas the Evening Star says "believed to be around £1.1m with the potential for future add-ons." which is the same price the Daily Mirror originally quoted. I wish ITFC would just disclose the prices!

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