Former Wimbledon, West Ham, Aston Villa and Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has signed a three-month deal with the Blues. The 28-year-old has been a free agent since leaving the Trotters at the end of last season.

Reo-Coker told the club site: “Ipswich is a sleeping giant in the Championship. It’s a massive club with a great history and tradition. The facilities are first class and there is a terrific fanbase. It’s the right club at the right time for me and everything has just fallen into place.

“I had a good conversation with the manager. He’s highly respected in the game for what he has achieved and I know what he’s trying to do at the club.

“Ipswich may be at the wrong end of the table at the moment but it’s still early in the season and I’m sure with the manager and players the club have, it’s only a matter of time before things turn around.”

Former England U21 international Reo-Coker is with the Blues until January 12th and says he is open to where things might progress from there: “I’ve no plans after that. I’m here for three months and am looking forward to it.

“I want to do the best I can for Ipswich in that time and we will see where it goes after that.”

Describing Town as having a "fantastic club, very well structured", Reo-Coker wasn't put off by the Blues' current lowly position: "We're on the same page. So it all fell into place and I just need to get some games under my belt.

"I don't think you can look at the table after 10 games and think that's how it's going to be. About the same time last year Reading were in the relegation zone and they got promoted."

He says long-term he hasn't given up on playing at a much higher level having been on standby for the 2006 England squad: "I believe I still have the quality to be an international player."

Blues boss Paul Jewell says he's delighted to add Reo-Coker to his squad: “There were a few clubs after Nigel so we are delighted to have him here.

“He’s played a lot of football in the Premier League and has a wealth of experience, even though he’s only 28.

“He will give us a lot of drive and energy in midfield. I think we have lacked that player to go and win the ball back for us and Nigel will do that.

“He has leadership qualities and has skippered teams wherever he has played. He’s also a strong character and that is what we need at the moment.”

Photo: Action Images

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:02 - Oct 15 Can't get too excited about this signing - although I'm not against it. I assume it's a chance for Mr Reo-Coker to gain match fitness and put himself in the shop window. How much can we expect from a player who hasn't played regularly for such a long time? However, if we can show massive improvement in the next 3 months, maybe we can persuade him to stay a bit longer. So welcome, Nigel. I really hope you can do the business.

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oldegold added 09:20 - Oct 15 Great. .another loan player. Another 3 and we can go in the Guinness books and hold the record for a complete team of loanees. Great forward thinking by our management and total faith in our young players like Hyam Carson and Murray. There was a time when Town managers blooded and kept faith with our youngsters. Jewell is not cut from the same cloth. By the way if some of the people who criticize fans who dare to have a go at the running of the club dont like it then they can go elsewhere. I thought the whole point of the MessageBoard was to exchange opinions. Some of the insults by those who criticize people who stand up and show their frustrations are completely anal.

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oldegold added 09:22 - Oct 15 Great. .another loan player. Another 3 and we can go in the Guinness books and hold the record for a complete team of loanees. Great forward thinking by our management and total faith in our young players like Hyam Carson and Murray. There was a time when Town managers blooded and kept faith with our youngsters. Jewell is not cut from the same cloth. By the way if some of the people who criticize fans who dare to have a go at the running of the club dont like it then they can go elsewhere. I thought the whole point of the MessageBoard was to exchange opinions. Some of the insults by those who criticize people who stand up and show their frustrations are completely anal.

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oldegold added 09:22 - Oct 15 Great. .another loan player. Another 3 and we can go in the Guinness books and hold the record for a complete team of loanees. Great forward thinking by our management and total faith in our young players like Hyam Carson and Murray. There was a time when Town managers blooded and kept faith with our youngsters. Jewell is not cut from the same cloth. By the way if some of the people who criticize fans who dare to have a go at the running of the club dont like it then they can go elsewhere. I thought the whole point of the MessageBoard was to exchange opinions. Some of the insults by those who criticize people who stand up and show their frustrations are completely anal.

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onetowatch added 09:56 - Oct 15 Yes great signing but come on What the F%^& is going on yet another loan. By xmas we not goin to have a team all loanees gone back.
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cornishnick added 10:13 - Oct 15 Wish people would stop going on about loans. THIS IS NOT A LOAN! Granted he may not be here after January, but he is an Ipswich Town player, not borrowed from anywhere else.
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Urchin added 10:33 - Oct 15 My own opinion is I really don't care whther its another new player coming in for a short time or that's its going to knock back Hyam Carson Mrray etc. At the moment we need to get out of this near bottom of the table position and if he and the othes loans/short term signings can get us to the relatively safe middle table in three months when we can then try the younger players and give them a good run then I am all for it.

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Legend added 10:40 - Oct 15 I hope he has checked our massive fanbase lately! Last i checked there were more empty seats than full ones and the atmosphere was that of a wake! It's never a dull moment being an Ipswich fan
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Pedlarjak added 13:19 - Oct 15 "I had a good conversation with the manager.... and I know what he's trying to do at the club." Great! Now could you just explain it to the rest of us?
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Suzanna_Gekkaloys added 13:40 - Oct 15 It's three months because Jewell has 5 games to turn it around. Jewell will not be there for the home game against Burnley on Nov 10th if there hasn't been significant improvement. A three month contract suits all.
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lilcornishblue added 15:59 - Oct 15 Done some reading on him like what I see good signing!!!
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KBsSocks added 16:10 - Oct 15 It's going to be Total Football, with Nigel playing Left Back with a roaming remit - Midfield anchor when required; Left Wing from RB. You just watch :-D
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:32 - Oct 15 all the moans and slagging off of loan players when we get them is in the main misplaced, its not the player's fault they are at Town on loan ! the real problem is WHY they are needed and WHO is responsible for the situation .We put players out on loan ,as do's every club when it suits .Unfortunately the way things are going for us they will be the majority of our team not just an odd player filling a gap .

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Tractastic added 20:59 - Oct 15 I'm absolutely no fan of Jewellosaurus but this IMO is a great loan signing and will give us some quality, experience and much needed leadership. I hope it works out and he signs a longer term deal.
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