Town have confirmed the signing of midfielder Jonathan Douglas from Brentford. The 33-year-old, who will wear the number 22 shirt, has signed a one-year deal with an option for a further season.
Douglas, who was the Bees' skipper, was at Portman Road for talks and to undergo a medical yesterday with the clubs having agreed terms on a free move.
"Dougie trained with us today, I’m delighted to sign him,” manager Mick McCarthy told Sky Sports News.
"Going on his age he certainly brings experience and going on the fact he’s played an average of 40 games a season for the last three seasons, he’s somebody who plays games, somebody who’s fit, somebody who knows the league.
"He had a great season last season and I think he got eight goals, so he’s a goalscorer as well.”
— Jonathan Douglas (@dougieno8) August 4, 2015
Douglas started his career with hometown club Monaghan United and moved to England in 2000 when he joined Blackburn Rovers. While at Ewood Park he spent time on loan at Chesterfield, Blackpool and Gillingham before moving on to Leeds in 2005.
After four years at Elland Road, the 6ft tall holding midfielder moved to Swindon before he joined Brentford in 2011.
Douglas, who has been capped eight times by the Republic of Ireland, signed a new contract with the Bees in February which ran to June 2017 but was not in new head coach Marinus Dijkhuizen's plans and last month he was told he could move on.
"He is not part of the squad and is training separately [with the U21s]. There is no future for him," Dijkhuizen told BBC London.
"We decided it is better for him to move on - for his future and for the future of Brentford."
Following the move, Dijkhuizen told the Bees club site: "I'm happy that Jonathan found a good club very quickly, it's a good move for everyone. The players and I will look forward to seeing Jonathan again on Saturday."
Brentford co-director of football Phil Giles added: "On behalf of everyone at the club I'd like to thank Jonathan for his commitment to Brentford over the last four years.
"He has been an integral part of the squad and success that the players have achieved in recent seasons. We wish him well at Ipswich."
So I'll be at Portman Rd a lot this year it seems. Go get 'em @dougieno8 â¤ï¸ Lucky @Official_ITFC is all I'll say now that #dougiesintown 🀖 Natalie Sawyer (@nataliesawyer) August 4, 2015
Last season Douglas, whose partner is Sky Sports News presenter Natalie Sawyer, made 46 starts and scored eight goals as the Bees finished fifth in the Championship, one place above Town. Coincidentally, the teams meet at Griffin Park on Saturday. You can read Bees' thoughts on Douglas's exit on Beesotted here.
Meanwhile, Leeds have confirmed the signing of Brentford's Northern Irish winger Stuart Dallas in a £1.25 million deal. Town were also keen on the 24-year-old and tabled a £1 million offer for the former Crusaders man.
Photo: ITFC