Town have completed the season-long loan signing of Reims central defender Cédric Kipré.
On Wednesday, reports from France revealed the Blues had made an approach for ex-West Brom, Wigan and Cardiff man Kipré with the 28-year-old set to sign on loan with the deal reportedly including a mandatory option for a €4.5 million (£3.9 million) permanent switch should the Blues return to the Premier League in the campaign ahead. Reims have confirmed the deal includes an option to purchase.
Kipré travelled to Suffolk for his medical and to complete the formalities on his switch on Thursday.
"I spoke with the manager and I really liked what he said about the way he wants to work. He wants to work hard – I also want to work hard.” he told the club site.
The 6ft 4in tall central defender has spent much of his career in England, joining Leicester City as a young player from PSG in 2014 and having had spells with Wigan, West Brom and at Cardiff on loan.
Paris-born Kipré, who is right-footed by often operates as a left centre-half, moved to Reims from the Baggies last summer, signing a deal to the summer of 2027, with the Blues also having been linked.
Kipré, who played 28 times in Ligue 1 last season, made his international debut for the Ivory Coast, for whom he qualifies via his parents, in June having previously played for their U23s.
While at Leicester, for whom he failed to make a senior appearance, he spent time on loan in non-league with Corby Town, before a stint in Scotland with Motherwell.
During his time as a West Brom player, where he spent four years, he had a spell on loan in Belgium with Charleroi.
Town have been in the market to add to their central defensive ranks this summer with Cameron Burgess and Axel Tuanzebe having left on free transfers to join Swansea City and Burnley respectively.
Kipré is the Blues’ first outfield signing of the summer, following the recruitment of veteran keeper David Button following his release by Reading.
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