Town have confirmed that Stephen Hunt has signed a short-term deal until January, as TWTD revealed yesterday afternoon. The 32-year-old former Wolves man goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game at Blackpool.
Hunt told the club site: "I’m delighted to get the deal done and I’m looking forward to playing for Ipswich and getting some minutes on the pitch.
"I’m hungry to get on the pitch and show people what I can do and I’ll be giving my all to Ipswich. I trained with the lads [for two weeks] in pre-season so I know most of them and I should have no problems settling in.
"Obviously I know Mick and TC too and they are honest guys. You know exactly what you will get with them and they were big factors in me coming here.
"It’s been a frustrating summer for me. I turned down a few offers that maybe I should have taken, whilst at the same time I’ve been mucked about by a few clubs.
"But that’s gone now and I’m delighted to sign for Ipswich. I know it’s a reliable club with a good reputation and tradition, so I’m looking forward to get playing.
"I’ve kept myself in good shape and looked after my body but I will only know how fit I am by getting out there and playing.
"I’ll be ready when called upon and hopefully the adrenaline will push me on and the lungs will hold up fine.”
Coincidentally, the midfielder almost joined the Seasiders in the summer but the deal broke down over personal terms.
He subsequently trained with the Blues but more recently spent time with Millwall before returning to Town this week.
Hunt, who will wear the Town number 12 shirt, is a player Mick McCarthy is understood to have been eyeing for much of his time at Portman Road and he was interested in signing him early in the summer following his release by Wolves.
McCarthy took Hunt to Molineux from Hull City for £3 million in August 2010 and he was a regular in his side for the next two seasons.
The ex-Crystal Palace, Brentford and Reading man missed much of last season due to calf and hernia problems before returning to action in March but couldn’t prevent his former club from plummeting into League One.
Born in Portlaoise, Hunt has won 39 full Republic of Ireland caps, scoring one goal.
Photo/Clip: ITFC