Striker Michael Chopra has confirmed that he was close to joining the Blues last summer. Ex-boss Roy Keane made his former Sunderland frontman his number one target a year ago but the move failed to take place because the clubs couldn’t agree a fee, the Bluebirds then wanting around £3 million for the one-time England U21 international’s services.
Chopra, speaking in a Radio Suffolk interview, said: "I think last year I was pretty close. I think it was just the transfer fee between the two clubs. But I was still contracted to Cardiff City and you’ve got to honour your contract and continue to give your best for the club.
"I did that last year and obviously it’s a new season this year. I spoke to the gaffer at Ipswich about his plans and I was happy to come.”
The 27-year-old, who signed a three-year deal at Portman Road for a £1.5 million fee last month, says he’s confident that he can continue to score regularly with the Blues: "All the clubs I've been at I've scored goals. I believe if get the right service and players alongside me then I'll score goals, no doubt about it.
"I'm a player that will play in the box and I'm always hungry to get goals and hopefully I can do that this year. I believe I will."