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McCarthy Delighted to Add Attacking Quality - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy has hailed the attacking quality of his trio of late transfer window signings, Leon Best, Jonny Williams and Tom Lawrence.

Best signed a one-year deal with an option for a further season having joined the Blues on trial last week.

The Republic of Ireland international, who has been handed the number nine shirt vacated by Daryl Murphy, left Rotherham at the end of 2015/16 having initially been offered a new deal by Neil Warnock, terms which were subsequently withdrawn by his successor as manager, Alan Stubbs.

Williams, who will wear 21 during his third spell with the Blues, and Lawrence, who is currently away with the Wales squad ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier against Moldova in Cardiff on Monday, have signed on season-long loans from Crystal Palace and Leicester respectively.

"I’m delighted with the players we have brought in,” McCarthy told the club site. "There is real attacking quality there. Leon has played in the Premier League and has been a top striker throughout his career.

"It seems that he has been around for ages but he is still only 29. He knows this league. He scored against us for Rotherham last season and caused us problems and he gives us a physical presence up front.

"I don’t need to say too much about Jonny, do I! We all know his qualities and what a top player he is. We saw that again in the summer on the world stage with his performances for Wales in the Euros.

"He is getting over his injury and we are looking at the first week or two in October for him to be playing games hopefully, and I know he can’t wait to get going.

"Tom is an ex-Man United kid who played against us when he was on loan at Yeovil. He was playing on the left and cutting in and we’ve kept an eye on him from there.

"He’s technically a very good player, good on the ball, good delivery and he can play in a number of positions, including up front.

"He and Jordan Rhodes tore us apart for Blackburn last season and I have been trying to get him in for a while.”

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