Life has changed dramatically for Town new boy Jonas Knudsen in the last few weeks as he has seen a lifelong dream come true.
Not only has the 22-year-old Dane realised his ambition to play in England but the fact that he has a perfect attendance record in the league and helped his new club to the top of the table has left him almost speechless.
Knudsen, who moved from Esbjerg at the end of last month, said: "So much has happened in only three weeks. It has been fantastic and I have loved every minute of it. I could not be happier the way things have worked out for me.”
The left-back, who has settled into Mick McCarthy’s team almost seamlessly, has played his part in the home wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley that, together with the opening-day draw at Brentford, has seen Town take up pole position in the Championship and underline their credentials to mount another promotion challenge this season.
Knudsen revealed the background to his bargain £350,000 move for the first time, adding: "It all started when I went with the Danish team to the Czech Republic for the European U21 Championship. I heard Ipswich were interested and I went on a little holiday with my girlfriend after I got home.
"Then we started in the Danish League two weeks later and I played the first two games for Esbjerg. In the first game we drew 1-1 away to Aalborg then we played at home to FC Copenhagen, probably the best team in Denmark. I knew TC was over to see me play and I knew I had done well. I said hello to him afterwards.
"That was the Sunday, and it all happened quite quickly after that. Later that week I was on the plane to England and I signed for Ipswich, then I was put on the bench on the Saturday against Utrecht at Portman Road and I had my first minutes in that game.”
Like most, if not all, new arrivals Knudsen has settled in quickly at Portman Road. "I feel very good and very well. The team have welcomed me and taken me on board,” he said.
"Everything has gone very quickly since I signed and I have played three Championship games in my three weeks here. The manager, TC, the staff, in fact everybody, is really nice and I am very happy.”