Town have confirmed the signing of Stoke City defender Danny Collins on a three-month loan. Earlier today, TWTD was first to reveal that the Blues were closing in on signing the 31-year-old ahead of Saturday’s trip to Blackpool.

The Wales international, who is set to make his debut at the heart of the Town defence at Bloomfield Road, says the strength of the Blues' playing staff was what persuaded him to opt for a move to Portman Road rather than join other interested parties: "Having looked at the squad here, there are some really good players.

"There is a lot of ambition about the place and with the players here, you can see Ipswich being one of the clubs competing near the top of the table.

"There were a few other clubs interested but I know five or six of the lads here and spoke to them and they said what a great club it is. I also spoke to Jon Walters and he said 'get down there, you'll enjoy it'.

"I've played regularly over the last five or six years, so when I wasn't included in the side at the start of this season I had a word with the manager and told him I'd rather go out and play somewhere than sit on the bench.

"He's knows that I'm not the type of lad that is happy to sit around, so when the opportunity to come here came around, I wanted to take it. Now I'm just looking forward to playing some games and helping Ipswich push on."

Town manager Paul Jewell added: "We're obviously delighted to have been able to bring Danny here. The defence is an area that we have been looking to strengthen and we've also had some injuries there as well, so Danny will add to the competition for places in that department.

"He will give us more pace and has Premier League experience. He knows what this league is like as well having been promoted twice as champions with Sunderland.

"He is versatile and can play at left-back, so he provides options and he's also an international, so we are getting a player with a lot of qualities. He's a good addition for us.

"There were other clubs interested in him, much closer to his home, so it shows his commitment and ambition to come here and play games."

On Friday, Collins was left out of Stoke's 25-man Premier League squad with boss Tony Pulis keen that he and a number of other players should go out on loan to get games under their belts: "These are lads who have not been playing enough recently and so we want to get them out and playing football until Christmas. It's important for Danny Collins to be playing at his age and because he's in the Welsh squad.”

Nottingham Forest and Portsmouth also showed interest in the 6ft tall one-time Chester City man, who plays either at centre-half or left-back.

Collins has won 17 full Wales caps and was on the bench for Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifying defeat to England at Wembley.

Photos: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

sotd78 added 17:15 - Sep 9 Brilliant
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Breedonblue added 17:16 - Sep 9 Who'd have thought Jon Walters would recommend us....
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dad96 added 17:16 - Sep 9 quality news!! plug him straight into delaney's spot, then hopefully ingarmarsson will stay fit and they can form a nice little partnership!! things are coming together nicely.... COYB!!
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andygizmo added 17:19 - Sep 9 Welcome and taxi please for Tommy Smith.
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andipeters added 17:20 - Sep 9 great news... looking at our 442 the team is good, possibly even really good when we get going and used to a system. Ship some oldies out - get some youth in for January and playoffs are realistic... stockdale new right back urgent collins sonko cresswell JET andrews bullard carson(new left wing ideal) chopra ellington/Murphy subs bowyer delaney scotland ingi
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martleshamitfc added 17:20 - Sep 9 How nice to hear that we were chosen above several other clubs. Hopefully a good signing to stabilise our shaky defence.
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RetroBlue added 17:23 - Sep 9 The key word for me 9mebtioned by Jewell on the ITFC web site), is Collins will be PACE to the back four. HALLLE, BLOODY ULLA !
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baldman added 17:24 - Sep 9 team is starting to look strong rb and we are there well done to all involved as to to many loan players think come christmas if we are in the top 6 will be a lot easier to sign [jan window]
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tractorbob added 17:28 - Sep 9 Walters has just redeemed himself in my eyes. This is a quality signing if only for 3 months. Big test tomorrow.
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RetroBlue added 17:28 - Sep 9 edit post : "Collins will bering PACE to the back four" sorry got my norwich city friend to type the original post for me !
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RetroBlue added 17:29 - Sep 9 ..and he still cant get it right !!
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robdaful added 17:31 - Sep 9 Great signing. Thanks J. Walters.
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mikeybloo88 added 17:33 - Sep 9 It's good but we need to be realistic and recognise that he will probaby go back in January. The way Stoke play, they're bound to lose a CB or two with injury. However, if he can help shore up the leaky D for a few months, I'll be very happy.
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Back_The_Boss added 17:34 - Sep 9 Great signing, come on lads.
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Garv added 17:36 - Sep 9 I could have sworn it was reported he was 6ft3? Cheers Jon Walters. Let's stop and think what happened there: He did not 'hate' this club and want out because he didn't like it. You could say he was a bit greedy, he saw a premier league club was interested and seeked the exit door. That and Roy Keane (personality clash or whatever) were the factors in him leaving. He holds our club in high regard, and so he should, we really got his career going. Wanted to say this before some idiot starts blindly insulting the guy. Anyway a point or three would make me happy on Saturday, we now have a much better chance with the latter with a real strong defence.

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come_on_blues added 17:38 - Sep 9 Welcome aboard Danny
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NW10_Tractor added 17:40 - Sep 9 Stinker! he could pass for "Daves Coaches" from the Tv series Gavin and Stacey!
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h32 added 17:56 - Sep 9 Before all the 'excitable's' get too carried away - and Collins is portrayed as 'the best player in the world' by some of them at least - REMEMBER he is only here for a VERY short time and will do little for us long term. However, a defender was required, and this is a short term 'patch' I guess - no more - no less.
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Bluearmy added 18:09 - Sep 9 h32 does everything have to be a negative to you in life its good news and if you can't see that the maybe your a victor meldrew type on here just for once enjoy some good news not everything is a negative you know
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Mark added 18:12 - Sep 9 Another signing through the door who seemed to choose us over rival clubs, so that's really good news. A versatile centre back with pace is just what we need and with Delaney, Ingimarsson and Sonko gives us strong central defensive options (I expect Smith can go out on loan now). Just a right-back and backup goalkeeper needed, then I think the team is sorted!
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DutchTownFan added 18:14 - Sep 9 Great!!! Told you Forrest were just trying to trick us!!1 Well done PJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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fourth added 18:15 - Sep 9 It's very good to hear of the Jon Waters connection. RK WAS insufferable. Jon far too bright for him. So, this looks very good. I'm sorry for Tommy Smith. But perhaps he'll fight his way back. Which is why good Reserve matches are so important.
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Marcello added 18:20 - Sep 9 Quality signing, now Town is getting somewhere. :)
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WaltownBlueNaze added 18:22 - Sep 9 Fantastic signing - Well Done PJ ! Now send Smith out on loan to rebuild his confidence. 3 points tom - 2-1 with Chopra and Bullard scoring !
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gilders0 added 18:29 - Sep 9 Chopra Murphy carson Bullard bowyer Andrews Cresswell Collins sonko edwards stockdale
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