Macedonian midfielder Velice Sumulikoski has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Blues, subject to a work permit. The 26-year-old is understood to have joined Town for a fee of £500,000 from Turkish side Bursaspor.

Boss Jim Magilton says Sumulikoski impressed in a trial after arriving at Portman Road over the weekend: "Velice has come in and made an immediate impression.

"He has slipped under the radar and we have managed to pick him up and we are delighted to have him here."

Sumulikoski, capped 46 times by his country, scoring once, was previously on trial at Blackburn Rovers and had also interested Norwich City.

The defensive midfielder, 5ft 10in tall, started his career with a three-year spell at NK Publikum in his home country, before moving on to Czech side FC Slovácko in 2002.

A switch to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg followed in 2004, prior to his move to Turkey in 2006.

A Macedonian view of Sumulikoski and links to YouTube videos of him in action can be found here.

Sumulikoski is Town's second Macedonian after mid-nineties midfielder Vlado Bozinoski, although he played his international football for his adopted country Australia and not the land of his birth.

Photo: Action Images

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