The Blues have offered a professional contract to Bury Town centre-half Ian Miller. Five weeks ago, TWTD was first to reveal that the 22-year-old was set for a trial at Portman Road after impressing in the pre-season friendly between the two clubs.
The two clubs are thrashing out the terms of Miller's move from the Ryman League Division One North to the Championship. This is likely to be a small fee plus a pre-season friendly at Ram Meadow. The match in July in which Miller caught Jim Magilton's eye was part of the deal which saw Liam Trotter join Town's academy from Bury's youth set-up.
Miller, currently Bury's captain, says he wants to get his professional career under way as soon as possible: "I can't wait to get it all settled. This is what most footballers dream about and I am determined to make the most of it.
"Over the past few weeks I have seen how mentally and physically demanding it is going to be, so I am not expecting it to be easy. However, I have got the desire to succeed."
Miller, nicknamed Dusty, had spent time on trial with the Blues before, playing a number of games for the U19s a few years ago.
A product of the Bury Football School, the dominating central defender was supporters' player of the season in both 2003/04 and 2004/05, and played every game last season.
Miller played in Town's reserves twice while on trial, impressing in both the defeat at the MK Dons and last week's victory over Stevenage Borough.