New central defender Toto Nsiala says he’s looking forward to the challenge of stepping up to Championship level. The 26-year-old signed a three-year deal along with his former Shrewsbury team-mate Jon Nolan earlier today having joined the Blues in a combined deal worth almost £2 million plus top-ups and a sell-on.
"I’ve had a quick look around the stadium and it looks great. I’m buzzing!” Nsiala told iFollow Ipswich.
"It’s a great move for me, an exciting move and I can’t wait to get started now. I had a great time at Shrewsbury and I want to thank the club and especially the fans for the support they gave me.
"It has always been in my thinking that when you get a chance to play at a higher level, you have to take it because it may never come around again.
"It’s worked out perfectly with the gaffer here and now I’m looking forward to testing myself in the Championship to see how far I have come as a player and a person.
"I’ve got to knuckle down and work hard and show everyone what I can do. I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
Nsiala, Town's first ever DR Congo international, who was born in Kinshasa, spent time on loan at Macclesfield and Accrington while with Everton’s academy before a spell with TDCS Dong Thap in Vietnam.
After returning to the UK, Nsiala, who was brought up in Liverpool from the age of 10 after a period living in Paris, joined Southport before playing for Blues boss Paul Hurst at Grimsby between 2014 and 2016.
After half a season at Hartlepool - who will receive just short of £100,000 from a sell-on following his move to the Blues - the defender was reunited with his old boss at Shrewsbury in January 2017.
Nsiala made 79 starts for the Shrews in his year and a half at the club, scoring four goals.