Town have confirmed the signing of Macclesfield right-back Elliott Hewitt. The Welshman, who is 18 today, has signed a three-year deal, as reported last night.

The Blues and Silkmen agreed a fee understood to be in the region of an initial £250,000 with further cash due when various milestone clauses have been triggered.

The full-back, who can also operate in midfield, tweeted that he was delighted to be joining the Blues: "Really happy to sign for Ipswich. Looking forward to next season and getting back playing. Couldn't of wished for a better 18th present.

"Would like to thank everyone at Macclesfield for what they did for me. The club means the world to me and I hope they bounce back.

"Thanks to all the coaches, youth team, first team from last year and backroom staff at Macc. And the biggest thank you to the fans."

Macclesfield chairman Mike Rance is happy with the deal: "We're pleased that he is going to a club with a realistic chance of making first team appearances.

"Elliott's best interests were part of the process, but we've also negotiated hard to get a good deal for the club with a fee that could exceed our transfer record should all of the performance-related add-ons come to fruition. He's a young player with a great future ahead of him."

Hewitt, who was interesting the likes of Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea before his 2011/12 campaign was curtailed due to a hip impingement injury which required surgery, joined Macclesfield's youth set-up after being released by the Stoke Academy.

Hewitt signs in chief executive Simon Clegg's office

Having made a single first team start in 2010/11 and becoming the Silkmen's youngest-ever player at 16 years and 342 days, the Bodelwyddan-born defender, who has won five U21 caps with Wales in addition to three at U17 level, made 19 starts and five sub appearances as the Silkmen were relegated from League Two at the end of this season.

Photos: Action Images/ITFC

Photo: Action Images

joe9087 added 14:36 - May 30 Great news.
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mschultz76 added 14:36 - May 30 Excellent news. Well done PJ.
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Ipswich24 added 14:37 - May 30 Great signing more of same please Lowton and maguire
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Nazemariner added 14:38 - May 30 Woo hoo!
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Stato added 14:38 - May 30 well done all concerned
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Stato added 14:39 - May 30 well done all concerned
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WeirdFishes added 14:39 - May 30 Why would we need Matt Lowton now?! not saying he's not good player, but we have a new RB now!
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oldbluestu added 14:39 - May 30 Well done Clegg
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cookra added 14:40 - May 30 Finally something comes off, great potential lets hope he's another Cressy in the making. This lad makes great runs forward and will bring some flare to our game COYB
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saffronblue added 14:40 - May 30 Great news, hopefully the first of several.
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GTRKing added 14:40 - May 30 Great News & He can play in Pre Season Friendly s & get to know the team & Ipswich. Few more like this Please
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bluey420 added 14:41 - May 30 All reports say v nice young bloke v highly rated n 4 £250,000 raising too £500,000 a real bargain I hope 4 similar signings young hungry players COYB!!!
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omuircheartaigh added 14:42 - May 30 Congratulations to all concerned. Hope Elliot Hewitt has a long and very successful career here.
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Garv added 14:42 - May 30 Good stuff! Centre back and a goal keeper now please. I think Murphy might sign and can also see Wickham coming back on loan, both happening late on in the transfer window. Leadbitter replacement would be a bonus.
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Ipswich24 added 14:44 - May 30 Lowton can play centre back and midfield too quality player
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SheffieldBlue1 added 14:47 - May 30 Very good signing; cheap, talented and the right side off 33. Encouraging! Surprised he signed on his 18th birthday though, would have thought he'd be sat in a park getting trolleyed off strong cider.
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idrinkbeer added 14:47 - May 30 YES im so happy we've got this deal done! really promising
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irishtim added 14:49 - May 30 Welcome to Portman road Elliot.Hope you have a great career here. More of the same please PJ.
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ITFC1983 added 14:50 - May 30 Brilliant news, welcome to Ipswich Elliott. A good signing, promising young, more of the same for the next 5,6,7... please!
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wrightyblue added 14:50 - May 30 Just hope pj gives him playing time!
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Stourbridgeblue added 14:51 - May 30 Welcome. Looking forward to seeing him pre season.
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bluenut added 14:52 - May 30 Welcome aboard Hewitt, first of many new hunger signings I hope. COYB
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unknownicr added 14:56 - May 30 with a return to the seven named substitutes rule this guy might be on bench. otherwise not a massive step forward for the club. hopefully the next signing will be a first team player.
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cookie77 added 14:56 - May 30 great news!!!! made my day!
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Michael11 added 14:57 - May 30 Great news! Nice to see us getting young players who want to be here, well done PJ
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