Town have confirmed the signing of Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a season-long loan.
Maitland-Niles joined his new team-mates for training for the first time this morning having completed the formalities of his switch and will be in the squad which travels to the Carton House Hotel in Co Kildare for a training camp next week, ahead of Town's first pre-season friendly against Shelbourne at Tolka Park a week on Saturday.
"It’s been a long wait to get the deal done but I’m here now and I’m ready to work,” he told Ipswich Player HD.
"Arsenal want me to get a bit of experience under my belt and I’m happy to do that. I’m still young and there’s plenty of time for me to develop.
"The Championship is a tough league but one I feel ready to perform in. The lads have really made me feel welcome here, they are wonderful.
"You can tell there’s a good group here and they’ve helped me settle in really well. I’m ready to work hard in pre-season now and hopefully hit the ground running ahead of the new season.”
As with all season-long loans there is no recall provision, however, Town would have the option to end the loan early in January if they wished to do so.
Goodmayes-born Maitland-Niles, who is primarily a right-sided winger but can play all across the midfield, joined Arsenal’s academy aged nine and broke into their U21 side during 2013/14, signing a pro deal in October 2014.
The England U17 and U18 international made his senior debut as a sub in last season’s Champions League game at Galatasaray and also made first team appearances from the bench against Newcastle in the Premier League and Hull City in the FA Cup.
Maitland-Niles hit the headlines earlier in the year when his mother, Jule Niles, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting two people at Arsenal’s training ground, amongst them Arsene Wenger's negotiator Dick Law. She was later released without charge.
Photo: ITFC