New defender Christophe Berra says the chance to play under his former Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was a factor in his decision to join the Blues. The 28-year-old Scot was confirmed as a Town player over the weekend, having signed two-year deal following his release from Molineux in May.

Speaking in an interview with Ipswich Player, Berra said: “The gaffer signed me for Wolves and I played under him regularly so that was a factor in me coming here.

“I had some good times with him at Wolves. The last season we worked together was obviously disappointing but in the main I learnt a lot from him.”

Berra was also linked with Blackpool and was reportedly close to joining Rangers back in Scotland earlier in the summer and he confirmed he had other options: “I had a few clubs interested, a couple abroad and could have signed for a club three or four weeks ago but I decided not to and to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.

“I wanted a club with a proud history, a club with a good set-up. Ipswich have got that. It’s being called a sleeping giant by some and I can see that.

“The team did very well under the gaffer last season and we’ve got to kick on from there. Although I’ve only been here a day or two you can see everyone is pushing in the same direction.”

Berra has been handed the Town number six shirt, while last week’s other new addition, Frederic Veseli will wear 20.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

bedsitfc added 16:36 - Jul 22 Chambers new right back then
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wairey added 16:39 - Jul 22 we now have three solid centrebacks! would love to see stearman back too ;) maybe a bit of mccarthy magic could sort it out...
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Jimmys_Law added 16:51 - Jul 22 Good to see a player who knows how to hold the shirt up for the photo!
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jas0999 added 16:56 - Jul 22 A very good signing IMO. I wish him well.
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RetroBlue added 16:59 - Jul 22 Mick McCarthy "a factor in signing for Town" Who'd have thunk it eh !!
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TractorBoy666 added 17:29 - Jul 22 Another great signing! That's the defensive side of the team sorted, I just think we need another striker maybe, depending on how much longer Taylor will be out for. But it's all looking good. Welcome Berra!
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Kesgraveblue57 added 17:34 - Jul 22 Welcome to the Town Christophe Berra really looking forward to you playing thanks for coming to Ipswich I know you will enjoy your stay with us
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 17:51 - Jul 22 Slam dunk of a signing interview - 'The gaffer' 'The history' 'The set up' 'Sleeping giant' 'The right opportunity' Well done and welcome!
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alexsmith111 added 18:17 - Jul 22 I can't remember a summer with this much positivity. Granted I'm 26 but still, it seems so new, fresh, optimistic. Best signing of the yeah has to go to ME, MM!
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itfchorry added 18:34 - Jul 22 How can people give jas a thumbs down for that coment !!
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Keaneish added 18:57 - Jul 22 When I look back at this summer, you have to laugh really. By my calculations MM has spent, what? £250,000? Wordsworth, Nouble and Doherty. 10 - 12 players for 1/7 of the price of a tamas priskin...!!! Goodness gracious.
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runningout added 19:31 - Jul 22 forgot 'the lovely area the country' :) Hope he's up for it.. Some of you need to forget about Stearman.. Chambers is not a willing right back, he is a CB, with decent competition for his place..
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runningout added 19:41 - Jul 22 meant area 'of' the country..
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Tractorog added 20:34 - Jul 22 Not sure he mentioned the training facilities explicitly enough for my tastes so I'll give him a 9 out of 10 on the "reasons I joined" speech.
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ManningtreeBlue99 added 21:38 - Jul 22 But... does he like the shops?!
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EdwardF added 21:53 - Jul 22 ''Are you watching Roy Keane? Are you watching Roy Keane''
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joshITFCporter added 21:58 - Jul 22 is that the new training kit he is wearing?
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 21:59 - Jul 22 Would like to see us try a 3-5-2 formation with Edwards and Cresswell as wing backs.
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Tractor_Bhoy added 23:16 - Jul 22 Quality defender for this league. Very pleased with this signing. Definitely first choice at the back with Smith.
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BuckieBlue added 23:18 - Jul 22 With the other summer signings I think the 'selling point' of Town (apart from history, friendly club, etc) would have been the chance to further your career i.e. none have been in a top, successful championship side- ok Vesali was at Old Trafford, but how near first team ever?. With Berra it is different, 2009-2011 he was in a better situation than that, and noticing that MM referred to Berra's promotion/ PL experience, I think the signing on chat would have been along the lines of 'we've done this together before, but let's do better and make Town an established PL side.' Ok nobody can say whether in 12 months time, but surely MM/TC- and Berra with his keenness to be back with them- must be thinking along those lines. His experience could be vital.

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Lennyboy added 23:26 - Jul 22 12 days to go....COYB
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Michael11 added 01:14 - Jul 23 Not one negative comment. First new signing in a LONG time to get the full seal of approval by pretty much all the fans. I've got full trust in Mick and the boys to deliver in this next year or two!
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floridaboy added 06:41 - Jul 23 Very good defender who has not been brought in to sit on the bench. Team for Reading something along the lines of: Loach Veseli, Berra, Smith, Cresswell Anderson, Skuse, Hyam, Tabb Murphy, McGoldrick Edwards is not a definite starter anymore IMHO, to come off the bench and play a part is the better option, Taylor when fully fit in for Murphy
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WickedBlue added 09:56 - Jul 23 Floridaboy no one is a definite starter that is the point of having a squad, you don't perform you don't keep your place. And I hope Chambers isn't dropped he's done nothing to deserve it. In fact the back four needs to be virtually the same as the back four that finished the season. The only question is who gets the right back slot.
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mickymacsbarmyarmy added 10:32 - Jul 23 Bit different to 12 months ago,when it would have been "the gaffer a big desicion in NOT joining town " under the regime of jewell and clegg the smeg. Also dont hear comments like "nobody wants to come here as we are so far out the way"
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