New signing Leon Best says he felt Town was a “proper football club” the moment he walked in for his trial last week. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal with an option for another season this morning having impressed manager Mick McCarthy.

“This is a proper football club. I could tell that as soon as I walked through the door,” Best told Ipswich Player HD.

“You can tell that everyone knows what they are doing, everyone knows what is expected of them. There is a real togetherness here.

“It’s funny because people in the game have told me that Mick McCarthy would be a good manager for me to work under and I’ve felt that as well, now I have that chance.

“He’s a straightforward, honest man and honesty is a key thing in football. He said to me ‘Come in and show what you can do and we will take it from there’, and that is what has happened.

WATCH | Leon Best says he already feels at home at #itfc after signing a one-year deal earlier today #StrongerAsOnehttps://t.co/1L92JJIhUR

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) August 30, 2016

“I’m a free agent and a lot of players in my situation are waiting to after the transfer window closes to see what is out there but as soon as I arrived here last week and met the players and staff and saw what the club was about, my mind was made up. I just wanted to get something sorted.

“I know a lot of the players here. I was at Rotherham with Granty [Grant Ward] last year, Chambo I know well and I grew up with Didz [David McGoldrick].

“There is a good squad here and I said to the manager that Ipswich always seem to be there or thereabouts with the play-offs. It’s just a win here or there that has been the difference.

“It’s a club going in the right direction and that is very important when you thinking about a move.

“It’s a massive ambition of mine to get back in the Premier League and I think when you look at the players we have here and the manager, you have to believe that with everyone together, we can get there.”

Photos: ITFC

brazilblue added 17:24 - Aug 30 I like the sentiment Besty, now score 30 goals my friend
15

tim added 17:24 - Aug 30 The illuminated Nike sign coming from his peck is well dodgy. That dirt road is well proper farmland. Proper football club doesn't inspire much confidence. Where are you coming from sir?
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Steve_M added 17:25 - Aug 30 No mention of the training facilities though, disappointing. I'm pleased with Best though, a player with talent but also something to prove.
12

didsburyblue added 17:28 - Aug 30 Is he signing that contract with a Crayola Felt Tip?
4

happybeingblue added 17:30 - Aug 30 lets remember Big Daryl wasnt wanted by celtic when we took him on and mick got him going so im hoping we can see a similar with Mr best
12

runningout added 17:34 - Aug 30 We 'Were' a proper club.. We have some making up to do
7

FromIpswichToPhoenix added 17:38 - Aug 30 Best, your mission should you choose to accept it is to take the little round white thing and kick it at the bigger white rectangle thing. Preferably hard and preferably on target. We have a few other folk in the same pay grade as you unable to meet the job description. That would be smashing, m'kay. Oh and welcome aboard.
10

Michael11 added 17:42 - Aug 30 Refreshing interview. Not the usual script of facilities, history etc. Seems keen so I'm eager to see what he can do.
15

ianmarshall10 added 17:49 - Aug 30 Read most the comments from Town fans on here and seems like most won't be happy if he's the Murphy replacement but I reckon he's a decent choice powerful pacy sticker and sounds like he's got the desire to do well for us. With T.C working with him in training and if he gets a few goals early days he's gonna be a decent signing for us time will tell.
12

RaymondovicBlue added 17:51 - Aug 30 Just hope you are still the proper striker you once we're, that you are allowed to play with proper tactics and that you can do a proper job of making us proper respected again. That'll do me proper nicely Mr Best. Another Mr Best was rumoured to be coming here for his last months as a pro.... That didn't come off, but I hope your stay here is good for you and ITFC!!

4

NoCanariesAllowed added 18:06 - Aug 30 While I have my doubts about Best, I remember Blackburn splashing what was then a pretty considerable fee by Championship standards for this chap not all that long ago - and then he had some real bad luck on the injury front. If he's still got it in him, and we can get it out of him, this could prove very shrewd.
4

hoppy added 18:11 - Aug 30 Best to have plenty of options, I reckon... now for TC and MM to get the best out of him... All the best, and welcome to ITFC...
3

jas0999 added 18:29 - Aug 30 Although I'll be disappointed if we don't bring in a quality replacement for Murphy, this in actual fact isn't a bad signing. Good option from the bench and likely to score more than Varney. However, with McGoldrick ruled out, Pitman more suited to a super sub and Sears well, out of form I still think we need to sign a goal scorer.
7

Seasider added 18:38 - Aug 30 To be honest JAS we seem to be pretty well of for 'numbers'now;but it looks like we may see one or poss two more in the next 24 hours. I do hope that the majority of Murphs fee is spent on a marquee signing,especially as our CEO has said that the money will be re-invested in players;but he has said this a couple of times before I recall.
2

Seasider added 18:40 - Aug 30 Not sure what position now needs strengthening,so will leave it to Mick
1

MooseJuice added 19:04 - Aug 30 And he hasn't even seen the turnstiles yet!
3

carlo88 added 19:09 - Aug 30 This guy has had some awful comments made about him in his previous clubs' forums, let's hope he does better here.
2

Fat_Boy_Tim added 19:19 - Aug 30 To be fair though carlo88, he's already had some pretty poor comments made about him on here and he hasn't played a minute for us yet! Welcome Leon, hope you can take a page out of Murphy's book and thrive under some consistent management with MM and TC. A front 3 of any of Sears, Robinson, Best, Pitman and Ward with McG to add later should score a few.
6

Fat_Boy_Tim added 19:20 - Aug 30 Lawrence, Doh!
-1

Radlett_blue added 19:25 - Aug 30 Better than being a "massive" club, eh? Pity Tom Lawrence nicked his shirt.
1

ITFC_Cotton added 20:07 - Aug 30 I'm excited to see him in a town shirt, I wanted us to sign him a couple of years ago before he went to Newcastle. Those people judging him before he's even played are laughable, anyone need reminding of a certain Daryl Murphy? Didn't exactly set the town ablaze with excitement when he joined.
6

karls_dad added 20:14 - Aug 30 I hope they give him a bigger shirt than the one he is holding, cos he ain,t gonna fit in that!!
2

blueblood66 added 20:25 - Aug 30 Good to hear, I think Besty will surprise a few of the nay sayers. Good luck lad.
5

Clifford_Blue added 20:38 - Aug 30 A player that still has something to prove me thinks. Has a good physical presence and will hopefully prove to be a great signing? All the best Mr Best, 15-20 goals would be great, no pressure though!
3

Barhamblue added 21:20 - Aug 30 I have a sneaky feeling this will turn out very well for both. welcome Leon and all the very best fella
2

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