Ryman Division One North side Maldon and Tiptree have announced that released Town right-back Kyle Hammond has agreed to join them following his loan spell at the end of last season.
Ipswich-born Hammond, 20, was told he wouldn't be offered new terms by the Blues with his deal up this summer and joined the Jammers on loan in March.
The former Westbourne High School pupil, who suffered from a series of knee injuries just as he was breaking into the first-team picture having come through the academy, was an unused sub for the Town senior side on three occasions but without making it on to the field.
Ex-Blues striker Darren McQueen has committed himself to Maldon and Tiptree for the season ahead, but former Town U21s full-back Ben Wyatt recently signed for Colchester United with whom the Jammers have established a link-up in recent seasons.
Last month,ex-Blues midfielder Kevin Horlock was named Maldon and Tiptree manager.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Magistrates’ Court found David James, a former bar manager at Portman Road, guilty in his absence of stealing £1,635 in bar takings following the Hull City match in February.
James, who was employed by Town for two years despite having eight previous convictions for dishonesty, denied the charge.
Having been released on conditional bail the 29-year-old failed to turn up for his trial and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.