Town have confirmed the loan signing of Fulham's Ben Pringle with the midfielder already eyeing a longer-term stay at Portman Road. TWTD was first to reveal that the Blues were moving for the 26-year-old as cover for the injured Ryan Fraser on Tuesday.
Pringle, who will wear the number 15 shirt while with Town, is joining for an initial month but with the option for the deal to be extended to the end of the season.
The former Rotherham man was keen to join the Blues as soon as he was aware of their interest.
"When the opportunity came up to come here on loan, it was an easy decision,” he told Ipswich Player HD.
"I know Mick McCarthy’s stature in the game and what he has achieved and that was a big pulling power.
"I knew there was interest in me from Ipswich last summer when I left Rotherham. I wasn’t offered a contract here or anything like that but I’m delighted to have the opportunity to join the club now.
"I spoke to Luke Varney and a few other people and they couldn’t speak highly enough of the club. I’m really looking forward to it.
EXCLUSIVE: @BenPringle18 speaks exclusively to Ipswich Player HD after joining #itfc on loan from Fulham.https://t.co/1EqnsrdgpZ– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) February 12, 2016
"Ipswich are in a good position, challenging at the top end of the table and I’m here to help in any way I can over the rest of the season.
"After that I will see what happens. Fulham are my parent club and it will depend on what they say but if things go well for me here and Ipswich are happy with me, I’d definitely be interested in getting something done here for the future.”
Speaking about Pringle yesterday, manager Mick McCarthy said: "He’s left-sided midfield player really. Let’s clear it up, he’s not Ryan Fraser. I’ve had that discussion with him today and he fully understands that.
Buzzing to join ITFC on loan and can't wait for tomorrow 🔵⚪ï¸ðŸšœðŸ˜ƒ
— Ben Pringle (@benpringle18) February 12, 2016
"But he can give you that balance on the left-hand side, he can play narrow, he can play on the inside and he has a terrific left foot, he can put great crosses in. So, if we’re playing with our strikers, they should get plenty of service.”
The Blues were previously keen on signing Pringle in the summer when he was a free agent having turned down a contract with the Millers but he joined the Cottagers on a two-year deal with an option for a further season.
Since moving to Craven Cottage the Newcastle-born wideman or central midfielder has made 15 starts and three sub appearances, scoring two goals, but his last game was on December 29th, while his most recent start came earlier that month.
Pringle joined Rotherham in 2011 from Derby County, having previously been playing in non-league with Newcastle Blue Star, Morpeth Town and Ilkeston Town, after a spell with West Brom’s academy as a youngster. While with Derby he spent time on loan with Torquay.
Pringle, whose set pieces led to both Rotherham’s goals in their 2-0 victory over the Blues in February 2015, made 154 starts and 14 sub appearances for the Millers, scoring 22 goals, and helped them to promotion from League Two as runners-up in 2012/13 and League One via the play-offs in 2013/14.
The wideman, who can also play in central midfield, looks set to make his debut in Fraser's left-sided role at Bristol City tomorrow.
Photo: ITFC