New signing Jimmy Bullard says it was an easy decision to rejoin the Blues once he knew Town wanted him on a permanent basis in the wake of the termination of his Hull contract. Free agent Bullard, who was on loan at Portman Road last season, has signed a two-year deal.

Bullard says he is delighted to return to Town, for whom he scored five goals in 16 appearances during the second half of the last campaign: “I enjoyed myself so much here last year and as soon as I knew Ipswich were interested, it was a fairly easy decision for me.

“I enjoyed my football here, I know the staff, I know Paul really well and Marcus Evans has put his faith in me.

"I got on so well with the fans here, I just enjoyed my time. All that made it an easy decision for me. It’s very nice to be amongst friends and playing football."

The 32-year-old was pleased to be reunited with team-mates from Town and elsewhere: “There are a few new faces from last season, but a lot of old friends as well like David Stockdale [who he played with at Fulham] and Ibrahima Sonko [team-mate at Hull].

“Even Andy Liddell is the fitness coach. I used to play with him at Wigan, so it’s a bit strange having him on the coaching staff! But it’s been good.”

Bullard admits that he was interested in a possible return to the Premier League but says that no such move was ultimately on the table: “I’ve always said I’d like to play at the highest level but it didn’t quite happen.

“There were talks held with QPR a couple of times but didn’t really materialise for either side really, so I had to look elsewhere.”

The midfielder says he’s been told not to talk about his Tigers exit, which was due to an alleged disciplinary transgression on the club’s pre-season trip to Slovenia: “There’s not too much I can say on that. My lawyers are dealing with it at the minute, so I’ve been told to say that. It’s in my lawyers’ hands.

“I enjoyed my time at Hull, I’ve always said that. I wish all the boys the best, that’s all I’ve got to say on the matter.”

The ongoing situation with his former club — he says he doesn’t know the timescale for its resolution — meant he had to abandon his usual policy of representing himself in transfer dealings and appoint an agent, Simon Dent: “I felt like I had to get an agent, and get some lawyers and solicitors involved in the whole situation. I needed to have an agent really.”

The one-time England call-up is on a significantly lower wage than his £45,000-a-week contract at Hull but says football is more important to him than money: “I’ve taken a pay cut but I’m just happy I’ll be playing football now, which I always wanted to do. Here I am at Ipswich and over the moon!"

A former Peterborough player, Bullard is confident that the Blues can turn things around after last week's 7-1 reverse to his old club: “Like the gaffer says, it’s really early in the season. Obviously you don’t want to lose like that, but it happens in football and I’m sure we’ll kick on now.”

Photo: Action Images

Back_The_Boss added 16:18 - Aug 25 Good lad Jimmy... I'm sure you'll do a good job for us. COYB.
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oldelsworthyfan added 16:20 - Aug 25 Excellent news! That will stop the opposition swarming all over our defence without the fear of a counter attack.
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spanish_archer added 16:21 - Aug 25 I've taken a pay cut....I bet! Great Signings today..After 2-5 and 1-7 I am feel quite upbeat COYB!
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leroy2488 added 16:21 - Aug 25 A massive welcome Jimmy
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mugsykets added 16:23 - Aug 25 Welcome Jimmy, so glad to have you back. Let's hope (pray) this gives the lads the lift they need. Wonder if THIS is THE turning point(?) Will we look back at the end of the season and say "Remember that stuffing we got at Peterboro? Who would have thought, after that, that we have a season like this......?"
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HundonBlue added 16:25 - Aug 25 COME ON TOWN!!!!!!!!! IPSWICH TOWN F.C YESTY, TODAY..........FOREVER! THIS IS OUR TIME............ KEEP FAITH THOSE LOYAL FANS!!!!!!!!!!
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merl added 16:27 - Aug 25 Time to get the Jimmy curly wigs in for the home games!
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roytheboy added 16:28 - Aug 25 Four Months to Christmas day, ours has come early !!!!
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HKBlue added 16:28 - Aug 25 OH JIMMY BULLARD YOUR THE LOVE OF MY LIFE OH JIMMY BULLARD I'LL LET YOU SHAG MY WIFE OH JIMMY BULLARD! I WANT CURLY HAIR TOO!
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dad96 added 16:28 - Aug 25 I LOVE YOU JIMMY!!!!! COYB!!
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Mr_Evans added 16:29 - Aug 25 Fanastic few days for us, considering our 4 straight defeats!! 3 very good players in with Premier league exp.
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BelsteadCav added 16:29 - Aug 25 Jimmy Hill! Itchy chin
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muhrensleftfoot added 16:30 - Aug 25 Well done for taking a pay cut. Poor guy's probably only on £30k a week now. I wouldn't get out of bed for that!! Seriously though, what a great signing & hope he stays fit. He'll make a massive difference
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Liverpool_blu added 16:32 - Aug 25 THAT IS THE NAME ON MY SHIRT SORTED THEN. Just need to know the Shirt Number.....
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dad96 added 16:34 - Aug 25 21 Liverpool blu... his favourite number :) lol
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ipswich134 added 16:34 - Aug 25 Let's see if this is turning pt. I hope it is !
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JohnyJohnson added 16:37 - Aug 25 Welcome back goldielocks
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bluenwhiteteddy added 16:40 - Aug 25 Welcome back Jimmy, hope you go on to be a LEGEND here!!!
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bluerealist added 16:41 - Aug 25 Jimmy Bullard you have restored my faith in footballers integrity! You said that you would love to make the loan move permanent and now you need a contract, you came back to us! You could've warmed a premiership bench for sure but stuck by your word - good man!!! BLUE ARMY :0)
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taylor15 added 16:44 - Aug 25 you're the love of my life! now that we have a big name in, maybe some of the talented youngsters may want to look at what town has to offer now? onwards and upwards now, and lets get a good result against a decent side in leeds now! MESSAGE TO FANS: i won't be at the game on saturday, so cheer on the boys, and sing your hearts out! if we don't get a good result, don't be too down - please! COYB!<3<3

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dude added 16:45 - Aug 25 Nice t-shirt jimmy.
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tempzzzz added 16:46 - Aug 25 OOOO JIMMMMMYYYY BULLLLAAARRRDDD YOU ARE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE OH JIMMY BULLARD!!!! Great news that he's back! This will strenghten the team so much! A new defender and another striker as well, we're really goin for it now! Look what we can get when we sell Connor Wickham! I think it might be worth the trip to blackpool. With the Sun tokens and free travel its a £15 day out!! COYB!!!!

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Wembley78 added 16:47 - Aug 25 OH JIMMY BULLARD YOU PLAY FOR IPSWICH TOWN OH JIMMY BULLARD AND NOW WE'LL NOT GO DOWN OH JIMMY BULLARD WE WANT THE PREMIER LEEEEEEEEEAGUE! (family section chant!)
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Jimmy added 17:01 - Aug 25 "Marcus Evans has put a lot of faith in me"... roughly translated... "He's paying me some serious dollar to play... so I'm gonna have to play decent!" Great response from PJ and the team following our humiliation against Posh... bring on Leeds!
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Brazils_Hair added 17:02 - Aug 25 I think I had better go and change the score I put down for the Leeds game in the Prediction League! I had us down for a draw (honest!) But I think it has to be a Home win now. COYB!!!!!!!!
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