Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that former Newcastle United and Portland Timbers centre-half Steven Taylor is joining the Blues on a short-term deal to the end of the season. Taylor, who TWTD revealed Town were targeting last Friday, has been training with the Blues since the start of the week.

“He’s looked very good, he was a real positive influence around the place, an experienced voice," McCarthy said.

“We did two really good sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, he was involved in both and got through them no problems, he looks very fit.

“He organises the back four, he’s talker and I have to say we need a bit of that, so I’ve agreed with him to take him until the end of the season.”

He added: “He’s only 31 and you talk about centre-backs playing until they’re 35 or 36. I think he’s hungry to get back in and to prove to everybody that he can still play at least at this level. He was an outstanding centre-back for Newcastle.”

In terms of adding further to his squad before Tuesday, he said: “I hope so, we have had some had some really good bids in for players and they keep getting knocked back. But the market is so inflated.

“Everybody is hanging onto their players unless somebody says, ‘There you are, there’s an offer you can’t refuse.”

Photo: Action Images

towny69 added 15:15 - Jan 26 Excellent news. Welcome to Portman Road!
2

oldelsworthyfan added 15:25 - Jan 26 This could be a very good signing. A class player with an abundance of experience as well as being a leader. He can also play at Right Back. At 31 he is NOT too old!
4

Garv added 15:35 - Jan 26 Good signing.
2

Surco72 added 15:37 - Jan 26 Welcome to Town Steve , I am hoping you will bring back some fight and desire that is clearly lacking . Injury free could be a good signing , but fear as per his recent record would suggest he will be more like a Leon Best signing
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rugbytomc added 15:45 - Jan 26 Brilliant news. I've been saying for ages we need a talker and organiser. Hopefully this will bring get out the best in berra again and if it works out I'd like him next season to bring on Adam Webster. Positive news for a change!
2

Kesgraveblue57 added 15:46 - Jan 26 Welcome Steven always been a fan of yours if ever we needed your services it's now
3

bluejake78 added 16:06 - Jan 26 Great signing.Welcome Steven.
2

miltonsnephew added 16:10 - Jan 26 Paul Caddis just release by Birmingham, right back / right midfield Can also play at left back, aged 28 sign him up!!!
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:14 - Jan 26 Decent guy and a good player when fit. More positive than negative about this one, and the negative element relates to his injuries not his ability. Welcome in time for Naaarwich, Steve.
3

cornishblu added 16:16 - Jan 26 Marvellous...along with the Berra statement all this means is that stubborn mick continues to play Chambers at RB ....and just when I thought things could be a little bit better ! SIGH
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rickw added 16:26 - Jan 26 No I think he's planning on sticking with 5-3-2 so Taylor will probably replace Digby, to play alongside Chambers and Berra with Emannuel and Spence competing for the right wing back position
3

TimmyH added 16:27 - Jan 26 Could be a good signing for the rest of the season, the only nagging thing I have in my mind regarding him why does he go from Newcastle to lowly Portland Timbers?...possibly something to do with his injuries? Welcome Steven, hope your the catalyst for clean sheets at the back and stay injury free.
3

fergalsharkey added 16:38 - Jan 26 our club is a total joke.
-4

dugoutdave added 16:42 - Jan 26 Slightly off track - and i know its in the Mail but : Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan plotting return to football after rediscovering appetite for the game Simon Jordan owned Crystal Palace for 10 years before walking away in 2010 He put £30m into club but was forced to leave when club entered administration Jordan says he is now ready for a return to game after rediscovering his love of fottball Gather he's looking at Coventry consortium and West Brom --- how about us !!

2

12th_Man added 16:45 - Jan 26 Experience and a wise head good luck Steven Not sure what you were expecting fergalsharkey?
2

Furrow added 17:21 - Jan 26 Maybe we can get rid of mishead/miskick Berra now then
1

jas0999 added 17:31 - Jan 26 I'm not at all a fan of frees and loans and despite the fact this is yet another short term deal, this one is in my opinion a good one - providing he is actually fit. Good signing.
1

cat added 17:39 - Jan 26 Captain calamity Chambers will feature somewhere, you can bet your house on that one. I only hope its not back at RB.
0

Seasider added 17:39 - Jan 26 Like most think this could be another good signing. This has doubtless come to pass because Webster is out for the rest of the season;but think this could well turn out to be a very good signing;much better than the panic signing of Best to replace Murphy. I always liked him playing for the Magpies;although thought that didn't look so good towards the end of last season.However must remember was playing for a struggling Premiership team,as Newcastle were then. Think he should adapt quite easily,although bit injury prone;so will be in good company here.Also a good talker which Mick said he could do with more of. Welcome to the once great Ipswich Town Steven

1

NYPDBlue added 17:50 - Jan 26 To be fair to the "lowly" Portland Timbers they were the current MLS Champions (for what that's worth) when he joined them. Pretty sure they would have been Lincoln!
0

cat added 18:05 - Jan 26 TimmyH - I would imagine he went to the USA to play soccer for the dollar.
0

Ipswichbusiness added 20:18 - Jan 26 Expect to see Chambers at centre-back and Taylor at right-back with Emmanuel on the bench ...
0

cobboldblue added 22:03 - Jan 26 Always rated this player could be a fantastic signing if he stays fit, so well done on this one MM.
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Bert added 22:33 - Jan 26 A decent experienced pro. MM has many faults including some dodgy panic loans but I don't see this as one. Well done.
0

Razor added 11:54 - Jan 27 This is actually a great signing and if he is now fully fit will definitely add to the team.
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