Keane's Ambition Clinched Martin Deal - Ipswich Town News

New Town signing Lee Martin says the Blues' ambition and manager Roy Keane were the major factors in his decision to move to Portman Road. The 22-year-old signed a four-year deal, having left Manchester United for a fee believed to be in the region of £1.5 million.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this evening, sitting alongside Town chief executive Simon Clegg, Martin outlined his reasons for moving to Suffolk: "I'm delighted to be here. It was important that I came to an ambitious club, a club which wants to go places. I spoke to the manager and he said all the right things, told me to do my best and enjoy my time here as well.”

Martin says that although he knew Keane from their days at Old Trafford, they didn't have that much to do with one another while with the Premier League champions: "I was a young player developing at United when the manager was probably the biggest player in the team.

"We didn't really get a chance to meet as often as I would have liked, but there was the odd occasion when he did a bit of coaching with the reserves when he was doing his coaching awards.

"His presence was a big factor in my move here. Obviously I've got a massive amount of respect for him as a player, as well as a manager, and I've wanted to work under him. For me, he was a role model when I was growing up.”

The Taunton-born left-sided wideman, central midfielder or striker admits that not all of his loan spells â€" with Royal Antwerp, Rangers, Stoke, Plymouth, Sheffield United and last season Nottingham Forest - have been successful and that it was time to find a new permanent home: "Some of my loans haven't always worked out for me, but that's in the past now and I want to concentrate on the future.

"There comes a time when you have to make that decision for yourself and move on. I enjoyed my time at United, but now I want to concentrate on where I want to go with Ipswich.”

It seems likely that Martin will play on the left side of midfield at Town, but revealed that Keane has been in contact with one of his former team-mates regarding which role in which to utilise his new signing: "The manager has spoken to [Manchester United reserves coach] Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who worked with me during the last six months. He understands which my best positions are. I'm sure we'll have a more in depth chat about which position he wants me to play and what he wants from me.”

Martin was understood was out of contract at Old Trafford this summer, but it appears United took up an option for a further year, requiring the Blues to pay a fee, which although officially undisclosed is believed to be around the £1.5 million mark.

Chief executive Simon Clegg says the club's confidence that Martin will be a success is illustrated by his four-year contract: "I'm delighted to make this announcement, I have no doubt that he's going to prove a major force and bring great strength to the team as we look forward to what is going to be a very exciting time for this football club.

"We think that Lee's got massive potential and that's reflected in the length of the contract.”

Keane, who was not present at the press conference, said: "Lee was a young lad at Manchester United when I was there and he showed a lot of promise. He's ambitious and wants to get back to the top level and I'm delighted he wants to do that with Ipswich Town."

Martin who was first linked with a move to the Blues by a national newspaper in mid-May, joined United's academy from Wimbledon in 2003 for an initial fee of £200,00 and by 2005 had made his first team debut in a Carling Cup tie against Barnet.

The 5ft 10in tall wideman has failed to establish himself at Old Trafford, making only two more senior appearances for the Red Devils, the final coming on the last day of the last season at Hull.

Martin will not be included in the squad travelling to the Republic of Ireland for tomorrow's friendly with Finn Harps.

Clegg added that no further deals are imminent, but also revealed that other clubs have made approaches regarding members of the Town squad without being drawn on any names or whether any potential deals might be on the cards: "We've had interest in some of our players.”

Meanwhile, reported Town target Paul Hartley has completed his move to Bristol City after leaving Celtic on a free transfer.

Elsewhere, an Irish paper is reporting that Town are closing in on Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy's signature and are still interested in Black Cats defender Paul McShane. Both players have been mentioned in connection with the Blues all summer.

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