TWTD understands Blues striker Ben Morris is set to join Detroit City in the USL Championship.

Colchester-born Morris came through the Town academy and made one senior start - the 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest in April 2018 - and four sub appearances for the Blues.

The 23-year-old spent spells on loan at Woking and Forest Green Rovers, also winning England caps at U17, U18 and U19 levels, featuring alongside Flynn Downes, Andre Dozzell, Tristan Nydam, Nick Hayes and recent loan signing George Hirst.

However, Morris’s Town career was hit by two cruciate knee ligament injuries, the first in February 2019 and the second in August 2020 within eight months of returning from the first.

The forward made his comeback in the U23s in the summer of 2021 and joined Swedish club GAIS on loan last January, enjoying a successful spell in the Ettan Södra (third tier) before returning to Town prior to Christmas.

Morris made what’s set to be his final appearance in a Blues shirt in the 4-2 U21s victory over Colchester at Playford Road just over a week ago and scored twice.

Detroit City play in the USL Championship's Eastern Conference and in 2022 reached the play-off quarter-finals.

Phoenix Rising, co-owned by the Blues' Three Lions, Brett Johnson, Mark Detmer and Berke Bakay, play in the Western Conference.

"We understand the move to the US is close to going through ahead of the start of the 2023 season, subject to the associated paperwork.

Speaking about Morris and his future just before the closure of the transfer window on the day of the Colchester U21s match, manager Kieran McKenna said: “In terms of his plans longer terms and loans, that’s obviously for the club and Ben to discuss.

“He’s trained with us quite a few times, a really good person, a good player, I can see why he was so highly thought of early in his career and he’s had some unlucky times with injuries over the years.

“There’s still a talented footballer there and good for him to get a game today and continue to build himself up and I’m sure he can still go on to have a good career.”

Photo: TWTD

ArnieM added 18:32 - Feb 5 Gamechanger influence here?
1

MaySixth added 19:02 - Feb 5 Detroit a fantastic city.
0

Cookycrew added 19:11 - Feb 5 Best of luck Ben, you deserve it after those bad injuries. You always impressed me when watching the U21s, and again fortunate to witness your last 2 well taken goals last week.
6

Ipswichbusiness added 19:18 - Feb 5 A promising career spoilt by horrible injuries. He has done well to come back to the level he has.
5

therein61 added 19:20 - Feb 5 Wish him all the best he has so much potential which has been cruelly held back by injuries so go over the pond young man enjoy both your football and a change of lifestyle.
3

Pessimistic added 19:21 - Feb 5 I am very disappointed to hear this. Ben Morris would be a nailed-on starter for the Blues had it not been for those terrible injuries. I guess it's a case of one door closing and another door opening, but we may regret this in the long term, letting him leave.
2

arc added 19:56 - Feb 5 Good luck, Ben!
1

Marinersnose added 20:46 - Feb 5 Well I had the pleasure of watching his last town performance against Colchester Utd last week and it was clear that he was the best player on the park. He stood out with great movement and two goals. Good luck . Good player who needs a break with injuries. Too common getting a second ACL injury after the first one, He's shown huge mental strength
2

itfchorry added 21:12 - Feb 5 Wishing him all the best - Sometimes it concerns me hoe we can let this sort of talent escape us :- Rhodes Wickham Marriott Morris
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pg888 added 23:05 - Feb 5 Marriott and Morris hardly deserve a mention in terms on talent escaping us. As for Wickham we got £8million for him which looking at how his career has turned out was fantastic business.
6

Bazza8564 added 04:49 - Feb 6 Two cruciate injuries is tough. Good luck to the lad, he might have missed the boat with us but that doesn't mean he can't forge himself a decent career in the USA Go well fella and all the best to you
3

bobble added 05:37 - Feb 6 some folks think i'm big in Detroit city..........
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Linkboy13 added 09:12 - Feb 6 We all agree promotion is the prime objective this season. I wonder if the players think the same and had their minds on Burnley on Tuesday. Some of the players must be worrying about their futures if we did get promoted.
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budgieplucker added 10:21 - Feb 6 This great news for Ben. Reality though is that soon go well in Finnish lower league and at the age of 23, is not going to get him anywhere near the ITFC first team bench anytime soon. Sad to see the lad and a good footballer leave the club but there isn't room to retain him. If he goes on to do very well then that's what we want, not to be seen as a lost opportunity for us but kudos for the academy system at Ipswich.

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TractorBoy1935 added 11:13 - Feb 6 Good luck to the lad. He'll relish the experience and will no doubt become better.
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Linkboy13 added 17:19 - Feb 6 The fact that no one in this country is prepared to take him on is sad, but you never know this might be a blessing in disguise.
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