Former loanee Jimmy Bullard has rejoined the Blues, signing a two-year contract. The 32-year-old, last season's Player of the Year, underwent a medical at Portman Road last night and completed the formalities this morning.

Manager Paul Jewell said: "Jimmy Bullard’s signed and he’s an Ipswich player for the next two years. I’m absolutely delighted. It’s been an ongoing thing since Jimmy was here last year.

“We tried to broker a deal for him to come back but Hull, as was their prerogative, he was their player, weren’t prepared to let him out on for a [loan] fee we could really afford.

“Something’s gone on there, I don’t know what’s gone on. He’s obviously become a free agent and as soon as we heard that, we moved very quickly and spoke to his agent and the player, and we did a deal yesterday afternoon.

“I think it shows how much Jimmy enjoyed it here. He rang Monday and said there were a couple of clubs interested, one Premier, one or two Championship, but his preferences was to come here.

“It was down to finances to a certain extent but the most important thing was that we knew that he wanted to come and Jimmy knew that we wanted him."

The Town manager says the club haven't broken the bank to do the deal and confirmed that, as reported by TWTD yesterday, Portsmouth and QPR were the other main contenders: “No one comes cheap in this game these days. I think the owner deserves credit but so does Jimmy because everyone knows Jimmy was on a huge salary at Hull.

“I don’t know what’s gone on there and it’s not for me to speak about what’s gone on there. Money wasn’t the biggest issue. It was just ‘do you want me to come?’, and I asked him whether he wanted to come here.

“We didn’t want to get into a situation where we were bargaining against other clubs. I know that there was interest from QPR and definitely Portsmouth, but Jimmy wanted to come here, which is great.

“Both parties were happy to do it and hopefully he can have the same effect on this season as he did last.”

"We’re still waiting on the paperwork to go through for Daryl Murphy, who’s coming in on loan from Celtic, and with Ibrahima Sonko, we’re just waiting for his Twitter page to come up to confirm that!"

Photo: Action Images

TractorFactor added 10:54 - Aug 25 for he is the King of Portman Road
0

alfromcol added 10:54 - Aug 25 Best news this season so far. Now lets hear anyone say ME isn't committed
0

OrkneyBlue added 10:54 - Aug 25 Superb! Onwards and upwards!
0

pazelle added 10:55 - Aug 25 "Jimmy Bullard will NEVER come here!" Pessimists ripped. Superb, give him the skipper's armband and lets beat Leeds!
0

Suffolk_n_Proud added 10:55 - Aug 25 I never thought this was going to happen. Good work! Goodbye Leadbitter, hopefully get Andrews on a perm next year, strikers sorted, 3 new defenders and we might start challanging for the top half of the table
0

trueblue1970 added 10:56 - Aug 25 great signing
0

footyblue added 10:58 - Aug 25 fab just get 3 defenders in and we will be contenders
0

casanovacrow added 10:58 - Aug 25 Good move, just need to ship out leadbitter for some kind of fee to pay for him.
0

Joshua_Is_A_Blue added 10:59 - Aug 25 going to be an expensive week, paying for coaches to blackpool and his wages. ouch. must be some outgoings to free up some cash? or ME has made an investment somewhere else to pay for it!
0

cornishnick added 10:59 - Aug 25 Fantastic news. But will still be on the end of a few more hammerings if we don't get two more CBs and an RB
0

BYRNE_16 added 10:59 - Aug 25 Yeah boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! Welcome back Jimmy
0

Martus added 11:01 - Aug 25 WOOOOHOOOOO!!!! Needed a playmaker like theres freakin tommorow!!! Hopefully he'll give Chopra some ammunition. Wonder what the odds are that he'll get injured first game? On the way things are goin its highly likely.
0

DT_ONE added 11:01 - Aug 25 Great news, Welcome back Jimmy !!
0

bluenwhiteteddy added 11:01 - Aug 25 Brilliant News! Welcome back Jimmy!!!! I have a smile on my face now! Didn't think I would be doing that for some time after Saturday. Well done to Jewell, Evans and all involved for doing the deal!!!
0

harmitfc added 11:02 - Aug 25 Maybe some of Jimmy's on-field characteristics will rub off on some of our other players. Two more CBs (inclusive of Sonko) and I think we might be OK (as long as the Officials in each game know where the lines are painted on the pitch...)
0

dad96 added 11:02 - Aug 25 Cannot believe the range of emotions i've felt as an ispwich supporter in the last week!! from the lowest point i've ever been on saturday night, to now wholeheartedly believing that our season is right back on track and the sky's the limit!!! now give him the captains armband and watch him work his magic on the squad, they'll be smiling and playing with confidence in no time!! BULLARD BACK = RETURN OF THE MESSIAH!!!!!! haha

0

Back_The_Boss added 11:03 - Aug 25 Great news, now for a CB. COYB!
0

sharvey22 added 11:03 - Aug 25 great great news!! COYB
0

s6blue added 11:03 - Aug 25 this is what heaven is truely like
0

Brazils_Hair added 11:03 - Aug 25 Best news so far! Welcome back Jimmy. Thanks for everything last season and good luck for this one.
0

optimus_ryan21 added 11:03 - Aug 25 Welcome back JB! We have missed you! Perfect foil for Chopra and a great partner for Andrews.....those of you questioning ME and Clegg do us all and favour and start backing your team!!were on the up! COYB
0

Monkaz added 11:04 - Aug 25 Jimmy Bullard is a Blue, is a Blue, is a Blue. Jimmy Bullard is a Blue, he hates Norwich. Best news this season, words cannot describe how happy I am and looks like I will be off to PR soon to buy a shirt with his name on the back :D
0

Guthrum added 11:05 - Aug 25 Nope. Didn't think this would happen. Adds some body (not just somebody) to our midfield. Should improve distribution, too, and team spirit (which seems rather fragile at the moment).
0

Tillz9 added 11:05 - Aug 25 Had lost hope that we could get this deal sorted weeks ago. Brilliant signing and proves he was true to his word when saying he wanted to join us
0

Hungry_Badger added 11:06 - Aug 25 Im not gunna lie, im nursing a semi right now!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls