Town have signed Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Keanan Bennetts on a season-long loan
Bennetts, 21, who operates primarily wide on the left, came through the youth system at Tottenham, where he would have been coached by Bryan Klug during his spell in their academy, but left for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer of 2018, signing a deal until June 2022.
He made what is currently his only appearance for the Bundesliga club’s first team as a final-minute sub in a 3-0 victory over VfL Wolfsburg in June. Otherwise he has played for their second XI in the Regionalliga West, making 26 starts and scoring two goals, but has suffered with one or two injury problems while with Die Fohlen.
Bennetts, who is 6ft tall, won two caps with Germany’s U15s in 2014 - he qualifies via his mother who is from Hamburg - but later switched to represent England, winning caps at U16, U17 and U19 levels alongside Andre Dozzell, Flynn Downes, Tristan Nydam and ex-Blues youth keeper Nick Hayes. He turned down the chance to play for Nigeria, who he qualifies for through his father.
Despite manager Paul Lambert's German connections, Bennetts is the first player the Blues have recruited from that market since the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder took charge at Portman Road in October 2018.
Edgware-born Bennetts played in an academy showcase game against Town for Tottenham’s U15s at Portman Road in 2015.
Borussia sporting director Max Eberl outlined how the Bundesliga view the move: "The most important thing for Keanan is getting minutes under his belt.
"For this reason, we’ve made the joint decision to loan him out to Ipswich Town in his home country of England until the end of the season.”
Bennetts was signed too late to make his debut in Saturday's game away against the MK Dons but could feature in the EFL Trophy tie with Gillingham on Tuesday.
Having turned 21 in March, the new signing's wage doesn't count towards the salary cap.