New Town signing Pablo Couñago has signed a four year deal with the Blues which begins when his Celta Vigo contract ends on July 1st. The Spaniard is an attacker who prefers to play down the middle, but is also known to play a left flank role.
Town manager George Burley said of the signing: "I am thrilled we have managed to sign Pablo from Celta Vigo on a Bosman ruling. Pablo is a very promising, young striker who possesses exceptional skill and has a tremendous goal scoring record. He has been a regular member of the Spanish Under-21 team for the past two seasons and we hope he can fulfil the undoubted potential he has here in Ipswich."
Town chairman David Sheepshanks added: "Pablo is out of contract this summer at Celta Vigo where he ranks behind several big money players. As you are allowed to sign within six months of the end of contract in such situations we've moved quickly to secure him on a free transfer. He is already an exciting young player who scored twice for Spain Under-21s in their recent match against England Under-21s. We look forward to welcoming him to Portman Road at the start of the new season."
The Town chairman told TWTD that the signing of the Spaniard is not planned to be the end to the summer additions: "He is the first addition of the summer and hopefully we can bring in one or two others."
It seems Town are again to miss out on the signing of Gert Veryehen. The Belgian international has agreed in principle to a new contract offered by Club Brugge which will keep him there until 2006.
This is likely to increase his earnings enormously and make him the highest paid player in Brugge history.
TWTD has heard that Town are to play a pre-season friendly with Parma at Portman Road on August 4th. Town's pre-season tour sees them venture to Finland and Estonia once more, and there is also a game arranged away at Peterborough on Sunday 29th July.
The Peterborough game is confirmed as a 3pm kick-off while the Parma game is also likely to kick-off at the regular afternoon time.