 Friday, 6th Aug 2010 08:15 New Town keeper Márton Fülöp says the desire to play first team football more regularly was why he swapped life in the Premier League with Sunderland for the Championship with Town. The 27-year-old completed his £750,000 move from the Stadium of Light yesterday, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal. Fülöp says that he became frustrated by his lack of opportunities at Sunderland last year, having begun 2009/10 as Steve Bruce’s first choice: “I started the season and played three games and then got injured for six or seven weeks and lost my place. “The most important thing for me is to play football and that was a major factor why I came to Ipswich. “I know if I can play football I have a lot to offer. I’m delighted to be here and it’s a great opportunity for me. Playing first team football is the most important thing for me.” Fülöp says Roy Keane has been trying to persuade him to join him at Portman Road throughout the close season, TWTD first reporting the Blues’ interest in Hungarian international back in May: “We worked together for two years and he called me over the summer a few times and told me what the goals are at Ipswich. I was really impressed with what he said about the club and what he said about the set-up here.” The move took a while to complete and the Budapest-born glovesman says he’s pleased to finally have finally signed: “I’m glad it’s over and I can concentrate on playing football. It’s a good thing to get a fresh start somewhere and especially at a great club like this.
“The training ground is top class, as is the stadium, the manager has Premier League experience, he knows how to handle the Premier League, it’s a great set-up and it’s really nice to be here. It’s been dragging on for a few weeks now and I’m grateful that it’s come to a conclusion.” Fülöp denies personally speaking to Fulham earlier in the week but when asked failed to completely dismiss suggestions that his one of agents — his father Ferenc, who was an extra in Escape to Victory, is amongst them — talked to the Cottagers: “I don’t know, you’ll have to speak to him!” The new Town number 21 finished last season as an emergency loanee at Manchester City, playing three games, and Fülöp says the short stay had a big effect on him: “I was there for 10 days but I think I became a better goalkeeper. The pressure I had to handle there was great and I think it was a great part of my career.”
The move sees the goalkeeper — who is 6ft 5in tall not 6ft 6in as per some reports — team up with his close mate Tamás Priskin, something he says can work in their favour: “We are great friends. With the national team we share rooms together, so it’s great to come to the same club as him and hopefully we can achieve success together. “We can help each other. It’s nice if you can talk to someone in your language and it’s very good for both of us that we are in the same team.” Fülöp says that despite his friend’s poor first season with the Blues, he will come good given time: “Tamás is a top Championship striker, I think he will score a lot of goals this season. He’s a guy who needs time to settle like everybody and I’m sure he can get the goals that can give us a good chance.
“He’s not a typical Championship striker. He has a lot of qualities, his movement is great, he just needs that confidence. If he scores his first goal I think a lot more will come from him.” Fülöp’s first task is to win a place in the side from Brian Murphy, then he is clear where he hopes he and Town will be heading: “Everywhere you have to play well to get the shirt. I hope I get the opportunity and I will do my best to help the club. I’m sure there will be exciting times ahead. “I came here to do well and to help Ipswich and if we get to the Premier League, it will suit everybody, I presume.” Roy Keane has confirmed that Fülöp will go into his squad, although not necessarily his team, for Saturday’s game at Middlesbrough. Photos: ITFC/TWTD
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