No one was more delighted to welcome Muzzy Carayol to Town than skipper Luke Chambers.
The 29-year-old winger has signed a deal through to the end of the season after being released by Nottingham Forest but it was a game for previous club Middlesbrough at the Riverside in March 2014, when he was in particularly good form, that Chambers was quick to recall when the pair were introduced before training this morning.
Carayol laughed: "He spoke about it straight away and he hasn’t stopped mentioning it. It was the first thing he talked about when we met up this morning. He said ‘Thanks for coming here. I won’t have to chase you around anymore’. It’s good to feel wanted!”
The Gambian international also revealed that Town boss Mick McCarthy is a long-term admirer, having wanted to bring him to Portman Road in the summer of 2016 when Carayol left Middlesbrough, and even long-serving midfielder Cole Skuse was trying to twist his arm.
He added: "I was on holiday in Dubai when I met Skusey and he was trying to get me here as well. I had left Middlesbrough at the time and Mick McCarthy had shown an interest in bringing me here.
"Skusey and I actually shared a taxi ride in Dubai and he made it clear he was trying to persuade me to join Ipswich.
"He had spoken to the gaffer, who contacted my agent, but it wasn’t the right time for me to come here. But this is the right place for me at this moment in time and I just hope I can do really well and that everyone takes to the way I play.
"I only heard about Ipswich’s interest about two or three days ago. My agent asked if I would be interested and I said yes.
"As I’ve said, the gaffer had shown interest in me in the past and one of the things I’ve learned about football is that it’s best to go where you are wanted.
"I had a few teams in the Championship who were interested in me but the fact that the gaffer showed interest in me was a big factor for me.
"It kind of made up my mind that I should be playing for a manager who really wants me and wants me to play to my strengths. That was what I based my decision on.
"The gaffer hasn’t said too much to me yet but I’ve spoken to him in the past and I think I know what he wants from me.
"It’s early days and on my first day I was just worried about meeting the lads. When it’s time for me to play or be a part I’m sure the gaffer will sit me down and let me know exactly what he wants from me.”
Carayol is ready if required at struggling Sunderland on Saturday and after two goals in 17 games — most of them as a substitute — for Forest this season he is keen to make an impact during his short-term deal through to the end of the current campaign.
He said: "It has been a really up and down season so far. I felt like I had a really good pre-season but I picked up a little knock and was out of the Forest team.
"They started really well so I knew I had to bide my time and most of my appearances have been off the bench, when I’ve tried to make an impact.
"I think I’ve done alright but, most importantly, as a player you need to play games and you need to start. That’s the only way you enjoy your football. I just want to enjoy my football again and get some games under my belt.
"I felt like I was in a kind of limbo at Forest but after my agent had spoken to them and told me about the interest from elsewhere that more or less made up my mind for me. I ended up getting things sorted there and was able to come here on a free transfer.”
Asked if he is fully fit and ready to go if McCarthy wants him to be involved at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, he added: "Yes, definitely. I’m ready to go and, touch wood, I’ve not struggled with any injuries. I’ve been available for most of this season so if the gaffer wants me to start at Sunderland I’ll be ready.”