New signing Grant Ward says he opted to join Town ahead of interest from other Championship clubs. The 21-year-old signed a three-year deal with an option for a further season earlier this afternoon, the Blues and Tottenham having agreed a fee understood to be in the region of £500,000.
"There was some interest from other clubs but as soon as I knew Ipswich wanted me, they were always going to be my first choice,” the winger or central midfielder told Ipswich Player HD.
"I know about the history of the club. It’s a big club. I know about the manager and he made it clear he was eager for me to come here. That was a big thing in me signing.
"I have been on loan a few times and obviously came through the youth ranks at Tottenham and it’s a big decision for me to leave them but it felt the right time for me to go.
"Looking at the future, it would be nice to have a chance to play in the Premier League one day. Hopefully I can do that with Ipswich.
"We’ve got a good squad here and getting in the play-offs is the target. I’m here to play my part in that.”
Delight to have signed for @Official_ITFC today. Can't wait for the season to get up and running #itfc #18 1/2 pic.twitter.com/fMGj8bqUVm– Grant Ward (@GrantWard_) August 1, 2016
Thanks to everyone @SpursOfficial that helped in my development the 11 years I was there, the time was right for me to move on #newchapter– Grant Ward (@GrantWard_) August 1, 2016
Ward, who will wear the number 18 shirt, confirmed that he played under Bryan Klug during the Town academy director’s time working in the Spurs youth set-up.
"Bryan was my manager at Tottenham at U15 level and gave my scholarship when I was 16,” he recalled.
"He’s a nice guy and always gave good references about Ipswich so it will be good to be working at the same club as him.”
Ward only returned to training after three weeks out with a minor injury last week, but was out on the field with his new team-mates today.
Photo: ITFC