On-the-move defender Titus Bramble says he is sad to be leaving Portman Road but looking forward to working with Sir Bobby Robson at St James' Park. The former Town boss has told Bramble that he can make the same progress on Tyneside that Kieron Dyer has over the last couple of years.

Bramble expects his £5 million transfer to Newcastle to go through this week and will return there to sort personal terms on Sunday. He underwent medical examinations towards the end of last week.

The centre-half said: "I'm disappointed to be leaving Ipswich. They are my home-town club and I've always loved playing for them.

"But I'm also very excited at the prospect of playing for a club like Newcastle. Sir Bobby Robson spoke to me and said that I could follow in the footsteps of Kieron. He spoke of what a big oppostunity I'd be given at an early stage in my career."

Bramble also praised Town supporters who he said had always been tremendous to him, as well as the Portman Road management: "The manager George Burley and all the coaching staff have always helped me so much. I love the club and always will.

"But at the momeht the move is probably best for the club and best for me. When I came into professional football playing for Ipswich I always dreamed of making a move to a big club like Newcastle one day. I didn't think that it would happen so quickly."

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