Town have confirmed the signing of Macclesfield right-back Elliott Hewitt. The Welshman, who is 18 today, has signed a three-year deal, as reported last night.
The Blues and Silkmen agreed a fee understood to be in the region of an initial £250,000 with further cash due when various milestone clauses have been triggered.
The full-back, who can also operate in midfield, tweeted that he was delighted to be joining the Blues: "Really happy to sign for Ipswich. Looking forward to next season and getting back playing. Couldn't of wished for a better 18th present.
"Would like to thank everyone at Macclesfield for what they did for me. The club means the world to me and I hope they bounce back.
"Thanks to all the coaches, youth team, first team from last year and backroom staff at Macc. And the biggest thank you to the fans."
Macclesfield chairman Mike Rance is happy with the deal: "We're pleased that he is going to a club with a realistic chance of making first team appearances.
"Elliott's best interests were part of the process, but we've also negotiated hard to get a good deal for the club with a fee that could exceed our transfer record should all of the performance-related add-ons come to fruition. He's a young player with a great future ahead of him."
Hewitt, who was interesting the likes of Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea before his 2011/12 campaign was curtailed due to a hip impingement injury which required surgery, joined Macclesfield's youth set-up after being released by the Stoke Academy.
Hewitt signs in chief executive Simon Clegg's office
Having made a single first team start in 2010/11 and becoming the Silkmen's youngest-ever player at 16 years and 342 days, the Bodelwyddan-born defender, who has won five U21 caps with Wales in addition to three at U17 level, made 19 starts and five sub appearances as the Silkmen were relegated from League Two at the end of this season.
Photos: Action Images/ITFC