Town have confirmed the signing of Portsmouth central defender Adam Webster on a three-year deal with an option for a further season from July 1st with fellow centre-half Matt Clarke moving in the opposite direction. TWTD first reported the move three weeks ago.
The fee paid to Pompey in addition to Clarke is officially undisclosed but is understood to be approaching the £750,000 mark and is the largest since Mick McCarthy took over as manager in November 2012, eclipsing the £350,000 paid to Danish side Esbjerg fB for left-back Jonas Knudsen last summer.
Webster, a 21-year-old right-sided centre-half or full-back who McCarthy initially tried to sign in January, joined Portsmouth aged 12 and came through the ranks at Fratton Park, making his senior debut as a 17-year-old in January 2012 during their time in the Championship in a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham.
The 6ft 3in tall ball-playing defender spent 2013/14 on loan at Aldershot, making 24 starts for the Vanarama National League side.
Webster, from West Wittering near Chichester, made 60 starts and 21 sub appearances for Portsmouth, scoring five goals, and has been capped by England at U18 and U19 levels.
Barham-born Clarke spent the whole of 2015/16 on loan at Pompey, making 30 starts and three sub appearances, scoring once. He has signed a three-year deal at Fratton Park.
"I’m over the moon,” the 19-year-old told the Portsmouth official site. "It was a good season for me on a personal level, although we didn’t quite hit the heights we were aiming for.
"I’ve come on leaps and bounds — playing U21 football just isn’t the same as turning out in front of massive crowds at Fratton Park.
"It was devastating for me to miss the play-off games with a niggly injury after working so hard throughout the campaign.
All the best @MatthewClarke96 gonna miss you roomie 🙖 Ted bishop (@ted10bishop) June 6, 2016
"But now I’m raring to get started again and am looking forward to what’s ahead at Pompey.
"This club might be in League Two, but everything’s set up for us to be at a higher level and we want to make sure that happens.”
The central defender or midfielder came through Town’s academy and made one Capital One Cup start and four Championship sub appearances for the Blues.
Delighted to have signed for @Official_ITFC can't wait to get started!! Thanks for all the messages! 💙
— Adam Webster (@AdamWebster31) June 6, 2016
Webster is Town's first signing of the summer with former loanee Liam Feeney all but certain to join him at Portman Road when his Bolton contract is up at the end of the month.
Another former loanee, Paul Digby, is expected to sign on a free transfer from Barnsley.