Boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that former Wolves central defender Christophe Berra has joined the Blues on a two-year deal. Berra, who we understand put pen to paper on his contract on Friday evening, was with the Town squad during today’s 1-0 victory at Barnet.

McCarthy confirmed that after a couple of weeks of speculation the deal was done: “We’ve signed him. I’m delighted with that one it’s a fantastic signing.

"He helped get us promoted at Wolves and helped keep us in the league for two seasons and I’m amazed actually that it’s gone so long and he hasn’t got a club. I’m delighted, it’s terrific for us.”

The Blues boss confirmed that although Titus Bramble is welcome to continue training at Playford Road, he won’t be taking things any further: “Titus had other options and like all of us, we’re all spinning plates a little bit. He’s doing it himself. I explained to him in the week that I can’t just wait indefinitely to sign him and he understood that.

“I also understood if he disappeared and wanted to sign for somebody else. It’s fairly uncomplicated - I’ve signed Christophe and it ain’t happening.

McCarthy has also ended his interest in Tottenham’s South African centre-half Bongani Khumalo, who played at Crawley and Gillingham: “He was terrific but he’s a loan player and I’ve signed a really good, I’d say top Championship centre-half that’s our player, an Ipswich player for two years. It’s a complete and utter no-brainer to do that as opposed to have a player on loan.

“I was really sorry for Bongani, I had to apologise to him, but as I explained to him, if Stoke or West Brom had come in for him he would have done one because he’d have had a better deal.

“And it is for us and I have to look after the club. Loan deals with a call-back clause in January are not for me and I know Christophe, he’s terrific.”

Ex-Arsenal youngster Conor Henderson is understood to be training with the Blues in the week to come but McCarthy says no deal is yet done to sign the midfielder: “We spoke to him in the summer and we’ll see whether that happens.”

The Town boss said he has had no interest in any members of his squad.

Photo: Action Images

suffolkpunchdrunk added 20:03 - Jul 20 TWTD - A big thankyou once again for getting these stories out to us all - its been a manic week and you have kept us all bang up to date with what is going on. Time for a beer and a toast to TWTD. Cheers!
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trumpy added 20:03 - Jul 20 Better and better. 18 to 1 pile in there
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Morgan added 20:12 - Jul 20 Mick is exactly what we wanted - prioritising signings over loan players. I'm Excited about Mcgoldrick and Nouble up top, we are attracting a decent calibre of talent mixing youth with championship experience. I can't wait till the season cracks on. Up the lads
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Lightningboy added 20:22 - Jul 20 Great signing and also refreshing to have "our" own players instead of the loan nonsense we've had over the last few seasons. My only concern is where are we going to fit all these players in?!! There's a fine line I guess between having a good squad and keeping everyone happy..i'm sure Mick know's what he's doing though...bring on a week saturday!
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MathieITFC added 20:23 - Jul 20 Some friendly competition for Smith and Chambers finally! Also puts bramble out of the situation which is always a bonus! Happy with Micks business In the transfer window so far one more striker and I think we could be sorted for the season!
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MathieITFC added 20:23 - Jul 20 Some friendly competition for Smith and Chambers finally! Also puts bramble out of the situation which is always a bonus! Happy with Micks business In the transfer window so far one more striker and I think we could be sorted for the season!
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MathieITFC added 20:23 - Jul 20 Some friendly competition for Smith and Chambers finally! Also puts bramble out of the situation which is always a bonus! Happy with Micks business In the transfer window so far one more striker and I think we could be sorted for the season!
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Jimmy86 added 20:44 - Jul 20 Happy with this!!! Shame bout bramble but always prone to heart in mouth moments. Dont think chambo/tommy partnership should be broken up. If chops is leaving think we need another striker, still rate chops, despite fact he is clearly not sharpest tool in the Box!!!
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thebeat added 20:45 - Jul 20 trumpy i just registered with skybet and used my free £10 bet on us to win the league at 22-1. You never know it could be 1992 all over again, if i remember rightly we were 25-1 then.
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warktheline added 20:57 - Jul 20 Thanks MM,top manager.
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TimmyH added 21:10 - Jul 20 Yep a good signing! as mentioned healthy competition for Smith and Chambers.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 21:18 - Jul 20 22's with SKY BET trumpy!
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IvorFeeling added 21:46 - Jul 20 So shocking that Mick has not wised up to the fact that we are a long way from anyone and it's difficult to get people to sign. Lol Our start is a double edged sword as if we are up there after 8-10 games the squad will know we have a great chance. Think many of the regular posters here are starting to think that 2014 will be a good year, I ceratinly do.
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kerryblue added 21:48 - Jul 20 Roll on the new season,delighted with all our new summer signings and at last it shows some real conviction from us,something lacking in the toothless clegg era,all we need now is to get rid of crapra and were on our way.Put your money on Town to win the Championship this season
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manualthetisfanclub added 22:21 - Jul 20 Could be good signing,proven championship player and good age,agree with MM regarding bramble and kuhmalo,don't get held to ransom by somebody who thinks he's. premier league player and a damn loanee with a crap recall clause.in big mick we trust!
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Ipswichbusiness added 22:31 - Jul 20 A good positive signing and welcome cover/competition for Smith & Chambers. Presumably this means that we won't be signing Stearman?
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stoofer added 22:45 - Jul 20 god so much man love for mick!
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stoofer added 22:47 - Jul 20 don't want to spoil our fun but the bookies have us at 22-1 for a reason they don't rate us that's hope they get a bloody nose.
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Safetyfirstmrwarke added 22:53 - Jul 20 And they just keep coming. Can't wait for the season to start. IMWT, COYB.
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algarvefan added 22:58 - Jul 20 For the first time in a long time I'm beginning to feel confident about the road ahead. Mick has seen the problem that too many loan players can bring and has redresses that with today's brilliant signing. We have competition for places all over the park but I would like to see an established striker brought in as I worry about our low goal tally. I've just put 100 quid on us going up this season, money well invested I'd say!!!

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HarryfromBath added 23:18 - Jul 20 "I can't believe we've got Berra." (Gets coat)
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bloooosman_malta added 23:35 - Jul 20 Will Alan Brazil,on his chat show,tell us what whispers is he hearing lately?
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TedTurnip added 23:42 - Jul 20 Dear lord, let it be higher than 7th
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hossblue added 23:52 - Jul 20 Feel sorry for Chambers as it looks as he may lose out.
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BobbyBlueLamb123 added 00:12 - Jul 21 Mick please what the hell are you doing every time Ipswich sign a new player I have buy my son a new shirt with his name on it and this is going to cost a ruddy fortune Every time I turn the laptop we have got a new bloke so please Mick no more signings until I have bought all these new shirts When I came home from work today my son came up to with big grin on his face and said dad let me be the BERRA of good news you owe me another shirt For gods sake Mick stop doing such a great job I cant afford this Only joking mate I don't care if you sign ten more players and I have got to say I have being supporting Town all my life but I cant remember such a exciting pre season as this one AWESOME is the word that comes to mind

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