New signing Alan Judge has revealed he is joining the Blues at the third time of asking, former boss Mick McCarthy having targeted him twice during his time in charge at Portman Road.
Judge, 30, came close to signing for Town in the summer of 2013 when out of contract with Notts County but the Blues were outgunned financially by Blackburn Rovers, only recently out of the Premier League.
And the Republic of Ireland international, Paul Lambert’s sixth addition of the January transfer window, says McCarthy made another move for him a year ago.
"I’ve been here before. I know what a big club it is and how good it can be here,” the Dubliner, who has joined Town from Brentford for a nominal fee, signing a contract to the end of the season with an option for a further season, told iFollow Ipswich.
"I nearly signed here under Mick McCarthy a few years back and for one reason or another it didn’t happen.
"Then he tried to sign me again last year but I wasn’t fit enough, so it’s third time lucky and I’m really looking forward to it.
"It’s a deal until the end of the season and then we will see what happens from there. I’m just focused on playing some games for now, helping the team get up the table and enjoying my football again.
"The minute I spoke to the manager I could feel his enthusiasm for the club and that was enough for me. It was an easy decision.
"""I felt wanted immediately and Paul has said to me to go out and play with confidence and try and make things happen. I’ll be giving everything to do that.”
Judge, who will wear the Town number 31 shirt, could make his Blues debut on Saturday at Blackburn, the club where he came through the youth system between 2006 and 2011 and where he had a subsequent spell between 2013 and 2014.
pic.twitter.com/FFGKZLQ0Xi– alan judge (@10judgey) January 14, 2019