Town have confirmed the signing of Janoi Donacien from Accrington Stanley in a deal which is initially a loan but will ultimately become a £750,000 permanent switch.
The 24-year-old centre-back or right-back is joining on a year’s loan with the deal becoming a long-term switch at the point his permanent leave to remain in the UK has been confirmed.
This is anticipated soon and not expected to be a problem, however, Town were unwilling to formalise the transfer until the paperwork has been completed.
The St Lucian, who has lived in the UK with his family since 2001, hit the headlines in 2012 during his time with Aston Villa’s academy when it emerged he might not be allowed back into the country if his side played abroad in the latter stages of the NextGen Series U19s European competition with his family having been denied permanent UK residency by the Home Office.
The matter was even raised in the House of Commons and eventually Donacien and his family were granted an initial three years’ discretionary leave to remain in the UK, which is understood to have been subsequently extended for a further three-year period.
"It has happened so fast,” Donacien told iFollow Ipswich. "When I was told Ipswich wanted me I thought ‘Wow!’ Then I just wanted to get down here.
"It’s a massive club, a sleeping giant in the Championship really with the history the club has got. It’s a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get going.
"I can play anywhere across the back four. I don’t mind, I’ll play wherever the gaffer wants me to. I was just want to be playing for this club.”
Town boss Paul Hurst added: "Janoi has done well over the last couple of seasons. He defends very well one-v-one and gets up and down the pitch.
"He is someone that again fits the profile of what we are looking for - someone who is hungry, has not played at this level before - and he’s at a good age that we feel there is progression there.
"He is versatile and has played right across the back four. He brings competition in all areas, particularly at full-back and that gives us options.
"We want that right across the squad, that competition for places and we’re delighted to have him here.”
Accrington manager John Coleman is disappointed to see the defender, his club's record sale, move on.
"Janoi has been fantastic since he has been here," he told Stanley's official site.
"He hasn’t been an ounce of trouble and I am surprised no one has come in for him sooner.
"Once people started treating us properly in the transfer market, that gives players the opportunities.
"We can’t let them go just to better their career, it has to be good for the club as well and that’s my responsibility.
"The money will mean a lot to Accrington, we will use it to improve the infrastructure of the club.”
Chairman Andy Holt added: "Janoi is a great lad, he is a model professional and he did what it said on the tin.
"He came here, grafted, helped us win the league title and fully deserves his opportunity. That’s what we are about at Accrington.
"The fee means a great deal to us and for us, it’s going into new changing rooms.”
Donacien was an academy youngster with Luton, Tottenham and Villa before spending time out on loan with Tranmere, Wycombe and Newport while a Villans player.
Having failed to break into the first team at Villa Park, Donacien moved to Accrington on a free transfer in the summer of 2016. Since then he has made 85 starts and seven sub appearances, scoring once. Last season he helped Stanley to the League Two title.
Donacien will become the second St Lucian to represent Town following striker Earl Jean, who made one sub appearance in December 1996.
The Blues are still in the hunt for another senior centre-half. Blackpool’s Curtis Tilt remains top of the list and the 26-year-old is reported to have handed in a transfer request in order to hurry along the move.
Town are understood to have made two offers which the Seasiders, who have been chasing a £1 million fee, have rebuffed, the most recent a £550,000 offer.
As previously reported, Shrewsbury pair Toto Nsiala and Omar Beckles are also on Hurst’s list of potential new centre-halves.