Ipswich new boy Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has revealed he was once rejected by the club.
The former Wolves striker, reunited this week with boss Mick McCarthy, was just 14 at the time.
He explained: "I was at Cambridge United and they said I wasn’t good enough for Ipswich. After that I signed for Manchester United but it’s good to get here at last.”
Ebanks-Blake said it was former Town academy recruitment officer Malcolm Moore who rejected him.
But the player, who left Old Trafford for Plymouth and was signed by McCarthy for £1.5 million in 2008, is keen to make up for lost time.
He added: "It wasn’t about money. Mick is the best manager I’ve ever had and he was at the front of the queue to sign me.
"I need to get match fit and the only way I will do that is by playing matches.”
Ebanks-Blake suffered a broken leg and ankle ligament damage in April, a major factor in Wolves’ relegation to League One.
But he confirmed: "I’m ready to get going. Wolves were brilliant in the way they looked after my rehabilitation.
"Mick was constantly in touch to see how I was getting on and that counted for a lot with me.
"I was training with the Wolves reserves for about four weeks and I’ve had a week here.
"It is good to see some familiar faces, like my former Wolves team-mates Stephen Hunt and Christophe Berra, but all the lads have been great.
"It is a tight-knit squad and we are in a great position in the Championship. I am looking forward to helping them get even better.”
Photo: ITFC