Town have confirmed the signing of former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on a contract until the end of the season. TWTD revealed that the Blues were close to sealing a deal for the 27-year-old free agent yesterday.

“I’m delighted to get the deal done and finally be an Ipswich player,” Ebanks-Blake told the club website.

“It’s been on cards for a while now and I’m just pleased we’ve managed to get everything done and dusted. I’m here now and in the mix with the rest of the lads to play my part for the team.

“I’ve worked with the gaffer and TC before and we’ve had a lot of success in the past. They played a big part in me wanting to come here.

“You know what you get with the gaffer. He’s honest and straight and TC is a great coach, especially with us strikers, and, as I’ve already said, I’m just delighted to have signed here and I can’t wait to get back out on the pitch after so long out injured.”

The Cambridge-born former England U21 international has been sidelined since April with a broken leg and ankle ligament damage and has been back with Wolves during the opening months of the season working on his fitness, despite being released at the end of 2012/13.

Ebanks-Blake, who will wear the number 27 shirt, is signing for Mick McCarthy for the second time, the Blues boss having taken him to Wolves from Plymouth for £1.5 million in January 2008.

The former Manchester United trainee is understood to have previously held talks with Burnley and Leicester in recent weeks, while Leeds were also linked.

Having played youth football with hometown club Cambridge United, Ebanks-Blake joined Manchester United’s academy at 15.

He made two senior appearances for the Red Devils, one start and one game from the bench, both in the League Cup, and spent time on loan in Belgium with Royal Antwerp while at Old Trafford.

In the summer of 2006 Plymouth paid an initial £200,000 for his services with the deal including clauses which totalled a further £100,000.

After scoring 23 goals in 56 starts and 18 sub appearances in 18 months with the Pilgrims, McCarthy took him to Wolves in January 2008.

In five years at Molineux the 5ft 8in tall striker netted 64 goals in 133 starts and 60 sub appearances, carrying off the Championship’s Golden Boot award in 2007/08 — 23 league goals - and 2008/09 when his 25 league goals helped Wolves win the title and promotion into the Premier League.

Last season, his 15 goals couldn't prevent his side dropping into League One with his injuries ending his season prior to the crucial last month of the campaign.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

blueboy1981 added 21:47 - Dec 19 ...... without getting too excited - I really do think we could be getting somewhere. This is a very good signing indeed, a quality player, and there would have been much interest in signing him - well done MM. Just keep it all going.
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blueboy1981 added 21:49 - Dec 19 ...... lets not forget the absence of creativity from midfield which must now be sorted surely.
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groovyASH added 22:21 - Dec 19 OOh, he is wearing number 27- the same number Stewart took upon signing from Huddersfield! We can dream :-) Great signing!
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howdonblue added 22:24 - Dec 19 In mick we trust
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alfromcol added 22:40 - Dec 19 ericclacton added someone with defence splitting balls eh!!! does anyone know anybody with them?
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NITFC added 23:19 - Dec 19 I love the way players who have played for Super Mick and TC before are so happy to sign. I wonder how many of Roy Kean's old players would do the same !!
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NITFC added 23:24 - Dec 19 On a more negative note, I hope he is ok after such a long time out of the game. Paul Taylor seems to have struggled
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spanishblue added 00:19 - Dec 20 Nitfc I'm sure Taylor is totally different to s.e.b you can be sure he's an ok football guy I'd love to see spearman turn up for mick & t.c s Xmas prezzie happy Xmas everybody feeling excited for the first time in ages thanks MM& TC
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clint_eastwood added 00:46 - Dec 20 SEB partnering McGoldrick upfront! That sounds quite deadly! I think our strikeforce is good enough now and our defensive unit are pretty solid. Time to focus on our midfielders. And probably....just probably on goalie as well. But Gerks is doin superb so far we'll stick with him for now.
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Alwaysablue added 01:06 - Dec 20 We have a creative midfielder, namely Wordsworth, but the poor bloke is very over shadowed! However, Ebanks-Blake is a top class striker at this level, he doesn't miss many chances.
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Dissboyitfc added 06:38 - Dec 20 Nazemariner...no need to put a negative spin on this at all, if he was after a better contract i reckon he would have chosen one of the other clubs over us, i dont think we offer the biggest contracts. If it goes well for all parties concerned he will sign new contract at end of the season. MM and TC certainly have players respect....COYB
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hossblue added 08:46 - Dec 20 A lot of positive signs coming out of the club at the moment
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ArnieMsBigToe added 09:53 - Dec 20 What a pity the dark lord got rid of Owen Garvin. He could well have been the creative midfielder that we now lack. Have to agree though. We are gonna be in the play 0ffs. . . at least!! What a strike force we're gonna have!!
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BlueVelvet added 12:14 - Dec 20 Gr8, but when will he be able to play
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roytheboy added 12:24 - Dec 20 Very well done Mick.
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Bergholtblue added 16:42 - Dec 20 Debut against Preston in cup I reckon. Bit concerned about his serious injury and I hope that too much pressure is not put on too early. When fully fit this will be one hell of a signing, alongside that of Marcus Stewart and as someone has already pointed out, wearing the same number.
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