Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’s been keeping half an eye on new signing Freddie Sears ever since the 25-year-old netted against his Wolves side while a West Ham player. The striker joined the Blues from Colchester on a two-and-a-half-year deal earlier today after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

Sears netted the second of his two goals for the Hammers as they defeated McCarthy's old club 2-0 at Upton Park in January 2011.

“Freddie blasted on to the scene with West Ham in the Premier League and I can remember him scoring when they beat us in my time at Wolves,” McCarthy recalled when speaking to the club site.

“I’ve always kept half an eye on him and of course, he has been playing up the road at Colchester and whenever I have seen him play, he has done well.

“He’s scored 14 goals this season and with all due respect, that is for a club that has been scrapping at the bottom of the league.

“When we have looked at the goals he has scored, they have been different types of goals. He’s also quick and having watched him train this morning, he’s got a good touch on the ball.

“He was a prodigious young talent at West Ham and he probably made the step backwards to go forwards again, which he has done. He’s older now and stronger and he’s a good signing for us. He will be a real asset.”

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

PavlovsCat added 16:15 - Jan 16 Yay!
2

Solly added 16:16 - Jan 16 Hats off to all at the club for such an astute signing, that I don't think any of us saw coming. A different type of player to Murph and McGoldrick, and one who is doubtless very keen to prove himself at a higher level. What a time this is to be a Town fan.
29

bluefeast added 16:16 - Jan 16 Fantastic signing as he offers something none of our current forwards have. So he is not only a goal scorer he compliments the squad. Ive seen him play and he works damn hard too.
13

4-4-2 added 16:18 - Jan 16 i've always liked sear, my mate is a colchester fan, and they love him there as well. He fits in with micks hard working philosophy as well
4

timspencero added 16:19 - Jan 16 fascinated by this one
2

Michael11 added 16:21 - Jan 16 I like the sound of this signing. Young and pacey with an eye for goal. He's trying to work his way back up with a point to prove so I'd much prefer this type of signing than an old has been like Aaron McLean, for example.
7

samsonblue added 16:27 - Jan 16 PLEASE, Please, Please MM Put him up front with Murphy with Didz sitting behind. Bru and ?? (Someone like Williams) Skuse sitting infront of solid back 4! Not a bad starting lineup! COYB - I see a whipping coming on at Millwall - 4, 5 or 6 me thinks.
1

battyblue added 16:38 - Jan 16 yes good signing (maybe) but i will wait and see before branding him a fantastic/ excellent/best thing in the championship signing as some dreamers on here (in Mick we trust brigade)etc i sincerely hope he is all those things and he fires us to the prem but just prefer to not get carried away and expect to much of him.
2

SouperJim added 16:48 - Jan 16 When we played Col U in pre-season, Sears was easily their best player, possibly the best player on the pitch come to that. Coincidentally the only other player in their side that day who caught the eye was Darren Ambrose. Cracking signing, really made up about this one. Fantastic sign of intent going into the business end of the season.
2

battyblue added 16:51 - Jan 16 Samson blue i know its nice to dream but get back to reality now.
1

greenkingtone added 16:56 - Jan 16 This is an astute signing. I'll be happy with a one nil win tomorrow.
2

Mark added 17:04 - Jan 16 That's another thing I like about McCarthy, yesterday giving the impression that while we need a new striker no one specific is in mind then BANG new signing in the door, done and dusted. I wish ITFC would reveal the fee though, as otherwise we can't say our team only cost £X in transfer fees. :-)
8

neillrumsey added 17:09 - Jan 16 PACE - and he scores goals in a struggling team. It's a no brainer for me. Shrewd acquisition imho.
2

springfield added 17:39 - Jan 16 or to paraphrase...... we desperately need cover, and this is the best i can find for the money we've got. like a manager is ever gonna say anything other than "he's great".
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springfield added 17:39 - Jan 16 or to paraphrase...... we desperately need cover, and this is the best i can find for the money we've got. like a manager is ever gonna say anything other than "he's great".
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:43 - Jan 16 That's the way transfers should be done, announce them when they have signed - no talk before hand.
11

blueboy1981 added 19:00 - Jan 16 Could possibly be a good signing, good age, 14 Goals this season in a struggling side - what we must do to compliment him, is play / create thro' midfield, and have some width about us - otherwise service from the long ball will not produce what he requires. Wish him well - good opportunity for him. But lets ensure we get the best from his potential, and enhance it.

3

dirtydingusmagee added 19:20 - Jan 16 there you go,how things have changed,wasnt even ''linked''.Micks a wily s#d.I like the way he works.The player will find it different playing in Championship,but lets not be hasty to judge him if he dosn't hit the ground running.Well done Mick and welcome Freddie . COYB
2

blueboy1981 added 19:21 - Jan 16 ....... now lets remember the requirement in midfield - and get Williams back in - or his type of player. Don't ignore the fact that our midfield for the last two matches has been a joke - and non existent. Harsh words but true, and recognisable by anyone who actually knows the game they watch.
3

LWNR2013 added 20:13 - Jan 16 ...3 best midfielders have been ill. That's all.
0

LWNR2013 added 20:16 - Jan 16 A new striker is great news. Good luck
1

DerryfromBury added 20:17 - Jan 16 What a surprise that was. Young, keen and a proven goal scorer. Whilst we are not privy to the financial side of the deal, you can bet it was a good bit of business by MMc and ME. Such a difference for the PJ days when everyone and their mother knew when we were sniffing around a potential signing only for the price to escalate. Looking forward to tomorrows game. COYB

1

Gforce added 20:32 - Jan 16 Freddie will be a great addition to the squad,hopefully Billy Sharp will follow over the weekend. Looking back at top 2 finishing teams over recent seasons Leicester,burnley,hull etc they all had plenty of strength in depth especially up front. The club finally look like they are showing real ambition. Get Johnny back from palace and we are sorted !
1

walberswicks added 21:11 - Jan 16 what does MM do with his spare time? watch old Colchester games? sears did nothing at west ham
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Luka added 21:43 - Jan 16 Blueboy - that "joke" midfield wasn't one when Cole Skuse and fully fit Jay Tabb and Teddy Bishop were in it. Keeper needed before a Williams type player (which Bishop is anyway)
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