Town have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Alan Quinn from Sheffield United for a reported £400,000, although the fee is officially undisclosed. The Irish international has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at Portman Road.

Boss Jim Magilton told the club site: "We had to move fast when I heard Alan might be available and we are delighted to have him at the club.

"I've known Alan since he was a lad and he will come in and freshen things up for us. He wants to get back in the Premiership and hopefully he will do that with us."

TWTD first reported Town's interest in Quinn two days after the January transfer window opened.

Dublin-born Quinn, 28, started his career with Sheffield Wednesday, for whom he made 180 appearances, scoring 17 goals, having played his youth football at home with Cherry Orchard.

The 5ft 9in tall midfielder spent seven years at Hillsborough, aside from a brief six-game loan spell with Sunderland, before switching to Sheffield United on a free transfer in 2004.

Quinn has made 109 appearances for the Blades, scoring 11 goals, but hasn't played for the first team since November.

Capped eight times by the Republic of Ireland, Quinn played alongside his brothers Stephen and Keith at Bramall Lane.

He made his first appearance in a Town shirt in the reserves' 12-1 triumph over the MK Dons on Monday, having joined the Blues over the weekend on an emergency loan basis.

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