Town new boy Freddie Sears has admitted he could hardly wait for his move to Portman Road to become a reality.
The one-time West Ham youngster joined last week from Colchester and marked his debut as a substitute in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Millwall by providing the pass from which Jonny Parr scored the third goal to make the points safe.
Sears, 25, said: "There had been a bit of talk about it for a while and last Tuesday I got a call to say it might actually happen. I was buzzing when I heard. There aren’t many bigger teams in the Championship and obviously they are flying at the minute.
"As soon as I heard Ipswich were in for me I was looking to get it sorted. They are a top club and it’s a bonus that I’m based just along the road in Essex.
"I was pleased with the way I started my Ipswich career. When you come to a new club you want to get on the pitch as soon as possible so to get half an hour at Millwall was a bonus.
"To be involved with one of the goals was great and to help us to pick up all three points was the most important thing about it.
"I wasn’t expecting to start but I hoped I would be involved. They were rushing to get all the paperwork through in time and with David McGoldrick being injured I had half an idea I would be involved, and in the end I was pleased to get on the pitch and play a part.”
Sears has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and could make the giant leap from League One to the Premier League in the space of a few months if Mick McCarthy’s men can maintain their impressive form — just two defeats in 22 league games — through to the end of the current campaign.
He added: "I played in the Premier League when I was 18 and I’m a lot better player now than I was back then. But it’s all just talk at the moment and no one is looking that far ahead.
"Everyone is dreaming about getting to the Premier League but right now the most important thing is the next few games and working our way up to the Premier League.
"I’ve been welcomed into the squad by all the players. I turned up on Friday morning and by Friday afternoon I felt like I was part of the group.
"It helps when you’re playing and after Saturday’s game I feel even more a part of things. It’s a really good group of lads, a very honest bunch.”
Photo: ITFC