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

PunchNoHopers added 12:08 - Aug 25 Good news, even at his age. Let's face it he was the difference between staying up and being relegated last season. With Murphy in as well, let's offload two or three players we no longer require now and would like to see a couple of decent defenders in completing the jigsaw.
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FabianMalyon added 12:09 - Aug 25 Yes! Get some defenders in now and we should surely be OK. One question, where is the 'Duke' Ellington?
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PunchNoHopers added 12:10 - Aug 25 Good news, even at his age. Let's face it he was the difference between staying up and being relegated last season. With Murphy in as well, let's offload two or three players we no longer require now and would like to see a couple of decent defenders in completing the jigsaw.
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fifeblue added 12:10 - Aug 25 Let's just hope that he can stay fit for more than a few games in a row.
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BrettenhamBlue added 12:10 - Aug 25 VERY pleased with this signing. Feel it will bring Bowyer to life as well (he has looked a little lonesome at times!) Could be a very good game on Saturday. Murphy on the left, Chopra with his usual excellent effort, Bullard (if fit) in the thick of things and Bowyer playing against his old club. Will be great to see the likes of Cresswell, JET, Bowyer and Chopra alongside Bullard. Interesting to see if we sign a couple of centre-backs in the next few days (Sonko, Roberge etc)

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fifeblue added 12:11 - Aug 25 Let's just hope that he can stay fit for more than a few games in a row.
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PunchNoHopers added 12:15 - Aug 25 Good news, even at his age. Let's face it he was the difference between staying up and being relegated last season. With Murphy in as well, let's offload two or three players we no longer require now and would like to see a couple of decent defenders in completing the jigsaw.
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jong75 added 12:18 - Aug 25 Even with the last couple of awful results, Jewell retains his sense of humour, "and with Ibrahima Sonko, we're just waiting for his Twitter page to come up to confirm that!" Bullard good signing, we really need a centre half, Murphy also I think is a good signing. Leadbitter should never play for us again in my opinion after Saturday, got booked on 7 minutes and never did anything else all game, now things are starting to happen. I hope we stuff dirty Leeds on Saturday!!!!

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WickedBlue added 12:24 - Aug 25 ""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!" Brilliant quote from PJ...well it made me laugh. Welcome back JB...great to have you back!
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blue_em_away added 12:29 - Aug 25 I am eating humble pie. I said he would not come here. Sorry Jimbo. Welcome back. This will be your last big club, so don't fnck it up.
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PauloJulio added 12:29 - Aug 25 Taxi for Mr Leadbitter!
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Likenoother added 12:30 - Aug 25 Great player and will do Ipswich the world of good like last season. But, he's 32 2 year contract = 34. He's injury prone and will be getting on a bit. Still doesn't solve the fact Ipswich have the slowest midfield since OAP FC and no young playmaker to take up the mantle should he get injured. Still good though.
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paddypowell added 12:33 - Aug 25 jimmy gd` back 4 peters,delaney,andrews,kennedy,mid,jay,jimmy,leadbitter,cresswell,front2,murphy.chopra
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merl added 12:35 - Aug 25 Surely Leadbitter has no place in the side now. Am I right in thinking Portsmouth are after him? Let him go! He certainly isn't captain material. Glad to see Jimmy back!
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brockleyblueboy added 12:35 - Aug 25 Look at the lift he has instantly given the fans, imagine what that is going to do in the dressing room. When we needed a massive lift, Jewell, Clegg (and mainly) Evans has gone and got us one. He may not make the instant impact and I don't wanbt to be a kiljoy as Leeds are a great team, but if he can lift the perfoamce and we really have a good go, then I will be happy. Welcome back and hopefully our season can start (even though we have only played 3 games, won 1 and lost 2) LETS RAISE THE ROOF ON SATURDAY, I CAN NOT WAIT

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Whymark4_Lazio0 added 12:37 - Aug 25 Have supported since 1972 and it's Leeds on Saturday. Am reading 'The Dammed United' at the moment and am up to Day 14..... and I hate LUFC and 'The Don' all over again! Anyone else who was around in the 70' should read this book. I HOPE WE STUFF THE DNBs !!
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MathieandMarshall added 12:37 - Aug 25 Paulnstar > bet you are a lot of fun to be around! Cheer up man! We've just signed the creative midfield player we all craved. Did you not see the impact he had last season? Keep your chin up mate!
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TheDoctor added 12:38 - Aug 25 Just got out of a meeting and seen this news. Can't be any happier as never thought it would happen. Hurry up Sonko and sign a contract and then hopeyfully all will be good for Saturday.
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baznsez04 added 12:41 - Aug 25 great news, quality player, will certainly help to galvanise the dressing room as he did last year.. yes he will miss games through injury, yes his fitness is lacking, yes Jewell will rest him, but he Is as valuable off the field as he is on it and he will help generate higher attendance, increasing the revenue for our club and therefore creating a better atmoshere altogether.Once again a huge well done to Mr Evans, Mr Clegg , Mr Jewell and best of all King Bullard....COYB!!!!

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Mark added 12:42 - Aug 25 Excellent news, this and Daryl Murphy was a real surprise and should give us all a lot of confidence going fowards. With Sonko and Murphy in the team Saturday we should have much more muscle, and we can once again look forward to every corner and free-kick now Jimmy is back! I expect his wages are not cheap, but even if he is on £20K-a-week that is around £1M for a two year contract. To think Leadbitter probably cost us nearly £5M taking into account his fee and 3-year contract, and I am sure Bullard represents good value for money.

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johnhazlebum added 12:43 - Aug 25 This isn't the way to get Ipswich promoted. Sack PJ before he spends next season's Div 1 kitty. BTW Bullard will be crocked within the first month.
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thechangingman added 12:44 - Aug 25 On the one hand, an inspirational, midfield maestro who marshalls the younger players and is loved by the fans. He can do the unexpected and get a bunch of goals too. On the other hand, an aging disenfranchised journeyman with a long history of injuries and the ability to cause trouble in a room on his own. A man who has never even vaguely approached the simmering potential he clearly holds and has an unpredictable and chaotic temperament. I just hope that it'll be the first one and not the latter who graces our club.

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brockleyblueboy added 12:47 - Aug 25 paulnstar = Budgie and all round misery. FabianMalyon - regarding the "duke" someone made a really good point on here a little while ago that it is ramadam so he is fasting so he can't take on any food or water when the sun is up so he would more than likely collapse within 2 minutes of the game if he had to chase a ball.
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Dog added 12:47 - Aug 25 Bullard is a very good player but i am totally against this signing. If i receive a CV from a candidate and it said that he was sacked from his last job, i would definitely find out why. Not to do so, is irresponsible. I am also perturbed at why the funds generated from our most promising player in a dozen years is being wasted on slow, over the hill journeymen, wanting one last pay day. Town are not building for the future. We have signed two youngsters this summer and one of them looked like a "panel beater" last saturday. The other was defensively naive. I am sure they will have better performances - hopefully beginning on Saturday. We need two centre backs and a right back. With six days left we have not resolved this weak defence we have had for the last eight years. Get it sorted and quick.

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Likenoother added 12:49 - Aug 25 As i stated above, what happens when the only play maker for Ipswich gets injured? There isn't anyone to take over so back to square one!.
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