Former Blues loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe has joined Wigan Athletic on loan until the end of the season.
Town boss Mick McCarthy was keen to bring the 21-year-old back to Portman Road from Fulham, his previous spell having been cut short at the end of January when he was sold to the Cottagers by Manchester United.
Over the weekend, both the Blues and Latics had been given permission to speak to Tunnicliffe, who made 24 Town starts and five sub appearances without scoring during the first half of the season.
Wigan manager Uwe Rosler says he sees Tunnicliffe as a replacement for Ben Watson, who recently suffered a broken leg: "Ryan is a very promising prospect player who has experience in the Championship, and after we lost Ben, I am delighted we have got someone who is so football-educated, having come through the ranks at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"He is a different type of player from Ben but will definitely add a new dimension to us."
Tunnicliffe says he is looking forward to helping the Latics reach the play-offs: "It’s an exciting new chapter in my career, the new manager at Fulham has allowed me to come here on loan and my aim is to just get out there and play as many games as I possibly can.
"I’m hoping to add a few more to the 60 or so games I’ve played so far at this level and I’m hungry to help the team achieve its aims.
"Being a North West lad I recognise that it’s a great time to be here, especially with the play-off push on right now and I’m just looking forward to playing.
"I know the surroundings at the DW Stadium already having played here for Ipswich earlier on in the season.
"I’m fortunate enough to have played here and got a feel for the place before arriving at the club and I could sense back then that it was a good environment.”