Polish defender Piotr Malarczyk has admitted it was difficult leaving former club Korona Kielce in order to further his career by moving to England.
He said: "It wasn’t easy because I was born there and this season I was made captain of the team.
"But I had played almost 150 games and I wanted to change something. I didn’t move to another club in Poland because that wasn’t what I wanted. I decided to come to England.
"I am really happy that I have joined Ipswich. It is a bigger club and I feel the difference in every area, from the staff to the organisation of the club. The most important thing for me is that this is a big opportunity to become a better player.”
The out-of-contract Malarczyk, who made his senior debut at the age of 17, was on the brink of joining another Polish top-flight club, Jagiellonia Białystok, in the summer.
But instead he opted for a new one-year deal at Korona that included a clause that he could move on if someone paid 50,000 Zloty, around £8,500, for him.
Ipswich were only too happy to pay the cash and a delighted Malarczyk admitted: "Every Saturday and Sunday I used to watch games on television from the Premier League in England and I think it is the best league in the world.
"There are a lot of amazing players in England and the games are also amazing, so I think a lot of players from all over the world want to come to England.
"Before I signed for Ipswich I spoke with Bart and I heard a lot of good things from him. He said the coach [Mick McCarthy] was a great person and for me that was really important.
"I also heard how Ipswich almost got to the Premier League last season and how much they want to get there this season. After a few training sessions and a few games I know there are a lot of good players at the club with some amazing skills.
"I hope my style of play will be suited to the game here. I will do everything I can to play a lot of games and to play really well.
"The Championship is different to the Polish Ekstraklasa but for me it not a problem and I am confident I can play at this level. I think I will have to use more of my physical strength here.”
Malarczyk was an unused substitute as Town went down 5-1 at Reading last Friday and recalled: "It was a difficult game for us but I don’t think the final score reflected everything that happened on the pitch.
"All the boys were not just disappointed, they were angry, which is probably normal after a heavy defeat.
"It was like an accident at work and we have to put it behind us now and concentrate on the game at Leeds, where we will be doing our very best to start winning again.
"I have been working really hard on the training ground and I hope I will soon get a chance.
"I had played some games in Poland before I came over here so I think I am in good shape, but we will see when the coach decides the time is right for me to play from the beginning.”
Photo: ITFC