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.”

pic.twitter.com/Y9107kWGRn

— Jonathan Douglas (@dougieno8) August 4, 2015

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."

So I'll be at Portman Rd a lot this year it seems. Go get 'em @dougieno8 ❤️ Lucky @Official_ITFC is all I'll say now that #dougiesintown 🍀– Natalie Sawyer (@nataliesawyer) August 4, 2015

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

tractorkent added 14:48 - Aug 4 i have to admit that i am feeling excited for the season my only concern is we seem to packing our center midfield with holding /ball winners type players, but i will trust MM.
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theipswichman added 15:01 - Aug 4 Is it bad that i'm also very excited of signinnatalie sawyer as a fan!
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Stato added 15:16 - Aug 4 Agree GTRKing the hearts lad deal will surely get done.
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Len_Brennan added 15:37 - Aug 4 Jordan McGhee from Hearts is not even an automatic starter for them yet, so he is not the immediate answer to our problems at right back. Add to it the fact that he wants to play centre half in preference to RB, and we are looking very much at a player signed for the future, probably to play in the middle. Unless another RB is on the cards (Kelly, Vela, Byrne) it looks like Chambers or Parr will be our regular RB for this season.

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jpring89 added 15:40 - Aug 4 I've never been this excited too a new season for a looong time we really are starting to shape up brilliantly great blend of youth and experience. I'm starting to believe this could be the year we finally go back to the premier league COYB
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jpring89 added 15:43 - Aug 4 I've never been this excited too a new season for a looong time we really are starting to shape up brilliantly great blend of youth and experience. I'm starting to believe this could be the year we finally go back to the premier league COYB
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Slambo added 15:51 - Aug 4 I read the article posted on the Brentford forum about their new 'moneyball' approach and it's scary stuff. They could be a real dark horse this season... But enough about them. Don't underestimate this Douglas fella because of his age. It's 2015 - conditioning and diet is much more advanced and he could still put out two more big seasons. My only concern is that - from what i've read - he seems a bit of a hothead. Not at all McCarthy's cup of tea!

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rkl added 16:03 - Aug 4 Signed up because he is Irish, no question.
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runaround added 16:20 - Aug 4 Welcome Jonathan. Really pleased with this signing as was impressed with his performance at Portman Road. Just a right back to get & then we will be ready
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essexboy added 16:35 - Aug 4 Another good signing,plenty of experience,just a one year contract,but that's good.He will add a fair bit in midfield and I hope he starts on Saturday.If we can get this young lad from Hearts then that's a full house.Prem leg here we come.
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jas0999 added 17:09 - Aug 4 Good news. This is a very good signing. Experience in the centre of the park. However, I'm struggling to see why we signed Coke? They do seem to be very similar. Add Bru to the mix, coke seems an odd one to me. Shame we didn't sign Dallas. That would have been an exceptional signing. Perhaps we have an alternative lined up? Take nothing away from this signing though. Good business and probably not cheap on wages.

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happybeingblue added 17:14 - Aug 4 Up the Irish ! big Mick big Daryl Dids now Dougie see he comes from Barry mcguigan territory hence why he shows such fight in his play :)
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Blandford added 17:18 - Aug 4 Really looking forward to the season ahead. Welcome to all the new signings. Sounds from his tweet that Douglas has a point to prove to Brentford's new regime - let's hope he gets his chance on Saturday.
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rexron added 17:45 - Aug 4 Very good player. Brentford must have issues... Oh well, Lucky Ipswich
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runningout added 18:31 - Aug 4 Sounds like it wasn't all roses when he departed
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batram92 added 18:48 - Aug 4 So many more options in the midfield now. Will be interesting to see who starts Saturday. Can't wait for the start of the season now! COYB!!
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Pilgrimblue added 18:49 - Aug 4 Well it'll be interesting who MM picks for midfield, so many options! Skuse and Gougie look nailed on plus Fraser but from what I saw Bru could make it as it is away. As for forwards, its Murphy plus Didzy leaving MM to use Pitman and Sears to freshen up from bench. At least I feel that we have cover for tactical changes this season!!
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runningout added 19:24 - Aug 4 whatever you do don't get TOO excited, you'll get disappointed ...
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blue86 added 19:32 - Aug 4 Very happy with how the squad is coming together! Very good signing, had a really good season for brentford and brings some good experience to the side. Just hope mick can pull one more trick out the hat with a quality RB added to the team. Really looking forward to weekend!! COYB
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essex57 added 19:33 - Aug 4 If you don't get excited what's the point of being a season ticket holder it's not all about winning (yet lol)
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Pip50 added 20:16 - Aug 4 Brentwood are adopting the money ball statistics approach that's why the previous manager left. Good signing stick him in Sat last club syndrome always works against us. RB please next.
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runningout added 20:32 - Aug 4 think you mean Brentford
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BlueTich added 21:23 - Aug 4 Well done Mick, that's the majority of the £8m gone on contracts for not a lot of talent.
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WarHorse added 22:28 - Aug 4 Jonathan Douglas is a good player. I have been watching Brentford for the last three years, since moving to the area and he has been at the centre of much that has been good about the team. He reminds me of Jim Magilton in always being available; wanting the ball no matter how tightly marked. He is not quick - like Jim - but reads the game really well and so tends to find himself in the right place. Brentford were always a better side with him on the field. There are a lot of Brentford fans very sorry to see him go. They like and trust Matthew Benham, the owner, who is a proper fan and putting his money where his mouth is, but in their darker moments, they wonder if the club is perhaps trying to change too much too quickly. In this case, Brentford's loss is certainly Town's gain. Douglas is supposed to have a bit of a gob on him but he cares and Mick will get the best out of him.

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Daleyitfc added 22:49 - Aug 4 More journeyman cr*p. Disgusted with the last 3 signings.
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