x

Stockdale Loan Confirmed - Ipswich Town News

Fulham have confirmed that keeper David Stockdale has joined the Blues on a season-long loan "with immediate effect" and has also put pen to paper on a new four-year contract extension which will keep him at Craven Cottage until 2015.

The 25-year-old is keen to leave Fulham for a short-term spell in order to gain experience, while the Cottagers are believed to have demanded a recall clause in case of injury to first choice Mark Schwarzer.

Stockdale told the Town official site: "I had a great talk with the gaffer here and Ipswich Town is a big club so I was eager to come here.

"The manager told me about the quality of the signings he's made and where they're heading and everything he told me made me keen to make join the club.

"Now I'm just looking forward to getting going and playing my part in what I hope will be a successful season for Ipswich."

Earlier this month Swansea made an unsuccessful attempt to sign the former York and Darlington glovesman on a permanent deal but the Cottagers are only willing to discuss a loan deal. Leeds were also interested in a loan but their proposed deal is understood to have broken down due to the recall requirement.


Leeds-born Stockdale, who is 6ft 3in tall, played youth football with Huddersfield before joining York's youth set-up, breaking through into the first team in 2003.

Having spent time on loan at Wakefield-Emley and Worksop Town, Stockdale moved to Darlington on a free transfer in 2006.

Impressive performances for the Quakers led to Fulham offering a fee which would eventually reach £600,000 after various clauses had been triggered in June 2008.

While at Craven Cottage, Stockdale has spent time on loan at Rotherham, Leicester and Plymouth and he has made only 13 starts for the Londoners, eight in the Premier League.

An England National Game XI player while in the Blue Square Bet Premier with York, he was named in the full England squad twice earlier this year but is yet to win a cap.

Town boss Paul Jewell has never appeared entirely convinced by first choice keeper Márton Fülöp, replacing him with deputy Arran Lee-Barrett for a spell towards the end of the season before recalling the Hungarian.

Lee-Barrett, who signed a new two-year deal over the summer, and Fülöp, who was briefly linked with Turkish side Bursaspor prior to Scott Carson joining them, have both started games during pre-season.

Stockdale looks likely to make his first start for the Blues at Colchester this evening (KO 7.45pm).

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas's move from Arsenal for an initial fee of £1.5 million rising to £2 million after various clauses are triggered is expected to be announced later this afternoon.

Photo: ITFC.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Sheeran Revealed as Final Call Me Ted Artist
Town sponsor and minority shareholder Ed Sheeran has been revealed as the artist for the 19th and final Call Me Ted poster of the season.
Ex-Blues Defender and Coach Nash Named Cork City Boss
Former Blues defender and academy coach Gerard Nash has been named the new manager of League of Ireland Premier Division Cork City.
Town Game Vardy's Last For Leicester
Leicester City have announced that striker Jamie Vardy will make his final appearance for the Foxes when Town visit the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Delap Nominated For Young Player of the Season Award
Blues striker Liam Delap has been nominated for the Hublot Premier League Young Player of the Season award.
Palmer: Sunday Not About Getting One Over Leicester
Town's clash against fellow relegated side Leicester City this Sunday carries no extra motivation, according to Blues goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.
Blues Legend Stewart Departs Yeovil
Town legend Marcus Stewart has left his role as head of player development at Yeovil Town.
Burley: Love I've Felt From Town Fans Has Been Unbelievable
Blues legend George Burley says he feels very lucky having been given the all-clear following treatment for cancer and says the love he has felt from Town supporters has been unbelievable.
Wardley: Change of Opponent But Same Outcome
Ipswich-born, Town-supporting boxer Fabio Wardley says the opponent may have changed for his June 7th interim WBA World Heavyweight title fight at Portman Road, Australian Justis Huni having replaced American Jarrell Miller, but other than that everything will be the same, including the outcome.