Loan star Anthony Georgiou has revealed he put Town ahead of a return to Spanish club Levante when it came to deciding the best option for the next chapter of his playing career.
The 22-year-old Tottenham winger, who is with the Blues until January, spent the second half of last season in Segunda Division B and netted once in 11 games, while also playing for the team’s third team one level below.
Georgiou said: "It was a very different experience, going to play and live in Spain for a few months. I was obviously away from home and they didn’t speak too much English over there, but overall it was a very worthwhile experience that helped me a lot.
"I learned a lot about myself, both on and off the pitch, and I will always look back on it with fond memories.
"I certainly wasn’t fluent in Spanish but I picked up a fair bit. Some of the lads helped me with translation but as time went on I started to understand more and more, and work out what they were talking about. But it wasn’t enough so I couldn’t really join in too many of the conversations.
"There was a chance that I might have gone back to Levante again this season but I felt it was more important that I found an English club to join on loan and I’m delighted the way things have worked out for me.
"I see Ipswich as the perfect opportunity and I hope it will be good for me and them.”
Georgiou added: "Spurs told me they thought it was a good idea to go out on loan again and get games.
"That’s the thing about a loan move at this stage of my career, you get valuable game time and the experience helps you to mature as a player.
"The move to Ipswich happened quite quickly and as soon as I heard about it I fancied it and tried to get it finalised as quickly as I could.
"It was a big deal for me because I still see Ipswich as a massive club, even if they are in League One at the moment.
"It’s a big responsibility for me but you can see how big Ipswich are from the game against Wimbledon on Tuesday when I made my debut.
"The place is buzzing and they are still attracting big crowds to Portman Road. To be honest, when the chance came along I was looking to get down here right away and get on with it.
"I signed a new contract at Tottenham before I came down to Ipswich but I’m here now until at least January and my focus is to get as many games as I can in that time. I’m here to help them as much as I can.
"I had a good pre-season with Tottenham. I had a fair bit of game time and really enjoyed it.
"It’s always good to play against top teams and it helped my fitness, getting me to the level I’m at now. I just need to keep going now and try my best every time I’m playing for Ipswich over the next few months.”
Georgiou was hooked on the idea of playing for Town after he met boss Paul Lambert in Peterborough last weekend and then took in the 2-1 draw at London Road.
"The gaffer has been really good so far,” he added. "We had a chat before I came and I liked him a lot.
"That was another big reason that I decided to join Ipswich. He’s had a great career in football, both as a player and a manager, and I regard myself as fortunate to be here and learning from him. I think it’s a good career move.
"I haven’t trained too much — just the once since I’ve been here — but all the boys have been good to me. It’s been a whirlwind week but I am pleased to have settled so quickly.
"There are so many games at the moment that you can’t be training too much but it’s all been nice and positive so far.
"It’s more like you are ticking over between the games so that you are really ready for them when they come along.”
Georgiou has already spotted one very familiar face at the Bent Lane training ground, that of academy director and former caretaker manager Bryan Klug, who joined Tottenham and then returned to Ipswich to continue his good work with the club’s rising stars.
The winger said: "I know Bryan from his time at Tottenham. He was my manager when I was 14 and 15 years old, and I think I was about 16 when he left to come back to Ipswich.
"He was really good with me and took me to the next level of the game when I worked with him. I went to the club when I was about 13 so I’ve been there quite a while now.”