New Town signing Pim Balkestein has thanked fellow Dutchman Fabian Wilnis for helping him out during his trial spell at Portman Road at the end of last season. Wilnis gave the 21-year-old hints on how he could impress boss Jim Magilton during a behind-closed-doors friendly at Spurs.

Balkestein told the club site: "Fabian Wilnis told me what I had to do to impress the manager in the game and while I was on trial at Ipswich.

"He really helped me while I was at the club and we spoke a lot about Ipswich and what the manager wanted.”

Balkestein says he is very aware of the influence that players from Holland have had at Portman Road over the years: "I know about the Dutch players that have been at Ipswich, going back to Thijssen and Muhren, with Martijn Reuser and Fabian as well and hopefully I can be a success here like those guys.

"English football suits my game. I like the physical side and joining Ipswich is a fantastic step up for me."

Wilnis is ending his Town playing career this summer after nine years, but could still continue as a player elsewhere, despite approaching 38-years-of-age.

The former De Graafschap man, who has been granted a testimonial next season, is also taking his coaching badges as he looks to build a future career in management.

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