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Connolly at Town on Wednesday - Ipswich Town News

Town look set to confirm the signing of former Shelbourne winger Dylan Connolly on Wednesday.

As TWTD reported on Monday, the Blues have been waiting for paperwork relating to the deal to be rubber-stamped, while Connolly has been back in Ireland.

The 19-year-old’s former Shels team-mate Adam McDonnell has revealed that Connolly, who is understood to have agreed an 18-month contract, will be at the club on Wednesday.

McDonnell tweeted: "Buzzing for my bro signing for Ipswich few days ago! Can't wait to get back playing with him, see you tomorrow pal. @dconnolly_95.”

Connolly, who subsequently retweeted the message, and 17-year-old McDonnell, who signed on at Portman Road during the summer window, were two of three Shelbourne players to spend time on trial with Town during pre-season, featuring in the friendly at Braintree. Defender Ryan Robinson was the third.

In November, Town were reported to be ready to offer Connolly a deal during January but, according to reports last week, issues relating to the training compensation due to Home Farm and Bohemians, his clubs prior to his spell with Shelbourne, were holding up the move.

Under FIFA rules when a young player switches between national associations compensation is due to all the clubs who have trained him between the ages of 12 and 21.

Irish U21 international Connolly was a regular for Shelbourne’s first team as they finished second in the Airtricity League First Division (second tier) during the 2014 season, making 27 appearances and top scoring for the Dublin side with 12 goals.

He was named in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year and nominated for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award.

Meanwhile, McDonnell should know whether FIFA have finally given him clearance to play competitive games for the Blues in a fortnight's time. Otherwise the Irish U18 international will have to wait until May when he turns 18.

Speaking on Friday, manager Mick McCarthy, who would have included McDonnell in his first-team squad at Millwall, hit out at the midfielder’s continued unavailability, which is due to recently tightened FIFA rules aimed at protecting young players and their education. At 19, Connolly will not be affected by the same problem.

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