Former Wimbledon, West Ham, Aston Villa and Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has signed a three-month deal with the Blues. The 28-year-old has been a free agent since leaving the Trotters at the end of last season.
Reo-Coker told the club site: "Ipswich is a sleeping giant in the Championship. It’s a massive club with a great history and tradition. The facilities are first class and there is a terrific fanbase. It’s the right club at the right time for me and everything has just fallen into place.
"I had a good conversation with the manager. He’s highly respected in the game for what he has achieved and I know what he’s trying to do at the club.
"Ipswich may be at the wrong end of the table at the moment but it’s still early in the season and I’m sure with the manager and players the club have, it’s only a matter of time before things turn around.”
Former England U21 international Reo-Coker is with the Blues until January 12th and says he is open to where things might progress from there: "I’ve no plans after that. I’m here for three months and am looking forward to it.
"I want to do the best I can for Ipswich in that time and we will see where it goes after that.”
Describing Town as having a "fantastic club, very well structured", Reo-Coker wasn't put off by the Blues' current lowly position: "We're on the same page. So it all fell into place and I just need to get some games under my belt.
"I don't think you can look at the table after 10 games and think that's how it's going to be. About the same time last year Reading were in the relegation zone and they got promoted."
He says long-term he hasn't given up on playing at a much higher level having been on standby for the 2006 England squad: "I believe I still have the quality to be an international player."
Blues boss Paul Jewell says he's delighted to add Reo-Coker to his squad: "There were a few clubs after Nigel so we are delighted to have him here.
"He’s played a lot of football in the Premier League and has a wealth of experience, even though he’s only 28.
"He will give us a lot of drive and energy in midfield. I think we have lacked that player to go and win the ball back for us and Nigel will do that.
"He has leadership qualities and has skippered teams wherever he has played. He’s also a strong character and that is what we need at the moment.”