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Town Confirm Douglas Signing
Tuesday, 4th Aug 2015 13:36

Town have confirmed the signing of midfielder Jonathan Douglas from Brentford. The 33-year-old, who will wear the number 22 shirt, has signed a one-year deal with an option for a further season.

Douglas, who was the Bees' skipper, was at Portman Road for talks and to undergo a medical yesterday with the clubs having agreed terms on a free move.

“Dougie trained with us today, I’m delighted to sign him,” manager Mick McCarthy told Sky Sports News.

“Going on his age he certainly brings experience and going on the fact he’s played an average of 40 games a season for the last three seasons, he’s somebody who plays games, somebody who’s fit, somebody who knows the league.

“He had a great season last season and I think he got eight goals, so he’s a goalscorer as well.”

Douglas started his career with hometown club Monaghan United and moved to England in 2000 when he joined Blackburn Rovers. While at Ewood Park he spent time on loan at Chesterfield, Blackpool and Gillingham before moving on to Leeds in 2005.

After four years at Elland Road, the 6ft tall holding midfielder moved to Swindon before he joined Brentford in 2011.

Douglas, who has been capped eight times by the Republic of Ireland, signed a new contract with the Bees in February which ran to June 2017 but was not in new head coach Marinus Dijkhuizen's plans and last month he was told he could move on.

"He is not part of the squad and is training separately [with the U21s]. There is no future for him," Dijkhuizen told BBC London.

"We decided it is better for him to move on - for his future and for the future of Brentford."

Following the move, Dijkhuizen told the Bees club site: "I'm happy that Jonathan found a good club very quickly, it's a good move for everyone. The players and I will look forward to seeing Jonathan again on Saturday."

Brentford co-director of football Phil Giles added: "On behalf of everyone at the club I'd like to thank Jonathan for his commitment to Brentford over the last four years.

“He has been an integral part of the squad and success that the players have achieved in recent seasons. We wish him well at Ipswich."

Last season Douglas, whose partner is Sky Sports News presenter Natalie Sawyer, made 46 starts and scored eight goals as the Bees finished fifth in the Championship, one place above Town. Coincidentally, the teams meet at Griffin Park on Saturday. You can read Bees' thoughts on Douglas's exit on Beesotted here.

Meanwhile, Leeds have confirmed the signing of Brentford's Northern Irish winger Stuart Dallas in a £1.25 million deal. Town were also keen on the 24-year-old and tabled a £1 million offer for the former Crusaders man.

Photo: ITFC


Photo: Action Images



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Alfie added 13:38 - Aug 4
Nice one, jigsaw coming together nicely !
3

petersongoal added 13:40 - Aug 4
Lovely job!
2

hampstead_blue added 13:40 - Aug 4
I hope he has had a shave.
0

londontractor85 added 13:40 - Aug 4
Very happy with this signing! A lot of Brentford fans in my office at work are sad to see him leave.

Welcome Jonathan!
3

Green_Army added 13:40 - Aug 4
Welcome aboard Jonathan!
1

Tractorog added 13:43 - Aug 4
If he scores for us on Saturday there will swarms of unhappy Bees! Let's hope so.
4

bizman added 13:44 - Aug 4
Great Signing -Brentfords Captain last season has got to be a good capture!
2

DrDre added 13:46 - Aug 4
He's got to play on Saturday - bound to score!
2

clive_baker added 13:48 - Aug 4
Looked decent last season, well worth a year given he was a free and probably on a relatively modest wage. Will bring some good experience to the side with the young wingers around him.

He's also bagged himself the best of the Sky Sports girls, she's a peach. Good lad.
3

PJH added 13:51 - Aug 4
Another very good addition to our squad.

Welcome Jonathan.
2

TennesseeBlue added 13:52 - Aug 4
1

thebeat added 13:54 - Aug 4
So thats just the 4 holding midfielders in the squad then.....The best part of this is he is Natalie Sawyers other half. Any glimpses of her down Portman Road is a bonus...
2

AJD1111 added 13:57 - Aug 4
Remember him being a standout last season along with Pritchard. Very happy to have signed him, pieces are coming together very nicely now! Excited
6

Michael11 added 13:57 - Aug 4
Good signing. Physical presence, experience and an eye for goal. Should be good in helping Hyam, Bishop, McDonnell etc develop too. McGhee from Hearts and maybe another winger to add competition and then we're pretty much there!
5

Stato added 13:57 - Aug 4
Do we expect him to be in the starting eleven on Saturday ? Ahead of Skuse or as well as ?
2

jabberjackson added 13:58 - Aug 4
With reference to his other half, as they say in France...
"Il y a du monde au balcon"
A fine addition to squad
3

Len_Brennan added 14:02 - Aug 4
Predicted Team for Saturday

Bart
Parr (Emmanuel), Chambers, Smith, Knudsen
Maitland-Niles, Douglas, Skuse, Fraser
McGoldrick, Murphy

Gerken, Yorwerth, Tabb, Coke, Bru, Bishop, Sears, Pitman. (Emmanuel if Parr fit)

I wouldn't be surprised to see Yorwerth start, with Chambers at right back either, especially if another young inexperienced player (AM-N) starts at right side midfield.
0

Stato added 14:08 - Aug 4
Looks like you might for nailed it Ken or in micks view sears for mcgoldrick ?
3

Stato added 14:08 - Aug 4
Meant Len
1

JoHnNnY added 14:12 - Aug 4
Agree with BossMan - Sears and Murphy to start, Didz bench.
2

parhamblue added 14:15 - Aug 4
Another sign Mick is determined to unleash wing play? They all need to be a lot more comfortable on the ball all the way through the season, and not run out of steam! Douglas ticks all those boxes plus hopefully will chip in with goals like last season.
5

suffolkpunchdrunk added 14:22 - Aug 4
How about Skuse at right back?
0

JoHnNnY added 14:26 - Aug 4
^ Nah.
0

JoHnNnY added 14:27 - Aug 4
I personally think there is one more big signing coming to complete the squad for the first half of the season - whether its before the weekend or not is questionable.
2

GTRKing added 14:44 - Aug 4
It will be the RB From hearts Mick will they get him before the weekend if he can
2


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