Town have signed former Charlton and Yeovil defender Kelly Youga on a short-term deal until January. The 27-year-old left-back, Mick McCarthy's first signing as Blues boss, was a free agent having left the Glovers in March.

Born in Bangui in the Central African Republic, Youga started his career with Olympique Lyonnais's B side before joining Charlton in 2005.

The 6ft 1in tall full-back spent six years at the Valley, making 69 starts and two sub appearances in addition to periods on loan at Bristol City, Bradford and Scunthorpe.

After leaving Charlton in the summer of 2011, he joined Yeovil but left by mutual consent the following March having made only one 45-minute substitute appearance for the League One side.

Prior to that his most recent domestic first team appearance was for Charlton in a 4-2 victory over Bristol Rovers in November 2009. A knee injury saw him miss the whole of the following season.

Youga won his one and so far only full international cap with the Central African Republic in June.

The signing would appear to be primarily experienced cover for first-choice left-back Aaron Cresswell, although new manager Mick McCarthy did experiment with pushing the former Tranmere man in to midfield in the latter stages of the defeat at Crystal Palace. However, given his lack of first team football over the last three years, it might be a while before he is up to speed.

Youga, who has also played at centre-half, has been added to the squad for tonight's Suffolk Premier Cup game at Walsham-le-Willows (KO 7.45pm).

Photos: Action Images/ITFC

Photo: Action Images

JimmyJazz added 11:23 - Nov 13 A left back!! Don't Ipswich managers have an enforced policy of not signing fullbacks?
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aussie_blue added 11:23 - Nov 13 Right back by any chance?
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Stato added 11:25 - Nov 13 Cover for left back ? hardly a priority considering the match day loan rule.
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TractorMan added 11:26 - Nov 13 Left back (or left sided CB) Likely to mean Cresswell pushing into Left Midfield as Carlos has in RM?
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Fenoit added 11:30 - Nov 13 Good job he hasn't signed on a loan dell then BossMan
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casanovacrow added 11:34 - Nov 13 cressy and carlos make great wingers. great at crossing, both have pace n comfortable on the ball n should help the defence more than what we currently use. not sure if this guy is any good at left back but like the idea of having players in wing positions who are more comfortable there. and not the usual attackers out of position. if Mick goes that route think it'll be a touch of genius. *tilts hat*

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Mr_Evans added 11:35 - Nov 13 Looks although Smith, HigginB & Chambers as a back 3, using Cressy & Edwards as wing backs. This guy can cover LB if we need to revert to 442, as could Hewitt at RB. MickMac sorting out our dire back 4 already. Good man!
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Seasonticketsteve added 11:39 - Nov 13 Brought in as cover for Cresswell and nothing more, hasnt played any consecutive games in nearly 2 years as he has been blighted by knee injuries. Still, it its good to have cover for Cresswell and he is a decent age-plus he was first choice left back for Charlton before his knee injuries so is worth a short term contract, if it doesnt work then we can let him go in January.

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BoredWithThisNow added 11:39 - Nov 13 Who the hell is this nobody?
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olimar added 11:39 - Nov 13 "hardly a priority considering the match day loan rule." We are allowed 5. If Luongo and Wellens arent at the club, then thats 4.
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StuartBrett8 added 11:41 - Nov 13 An out of the blue signing.... no speculation beforehand... What's happened to this club under Big Mick ;). Sounds decent with a bit of height. Welcome to Ipswich
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prospekt85 added 11:41 - Nov 13 he's not on loan he's a free agent on a short term deal
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tearle1974 added 11:41 - Nov 13 Come on it's another defender that is good news, Thought with Saturdays back 4 it was good with Chambers right back and can get back to the center if needed. Think MM is looking at our defence problem with good vision. Youga Cresswell left backs, If Cresswell is in midfield then if there is problems at the back he can get back to assist, Just like with Edwards on the right of midfield. Very wise from Mick and well done to him i say.

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howdonblue added 11:43 - Nov 13 In Mick we trust !!!
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andys_legg added 11:43 - Nov 13 One for the morons this HE IS NOT A LOAN DEAL?!?!
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muhrensleftfoot added 11:46 - Nov 13 This has to be about getting some much needed extra height & power into our defence. Think MM may push Cresswell onto left wing, as he is attack minded anyway, comfortable on the ball, and a good crosser. This guy's CV though isn't very good, so glad it is only short term, therefore little risk.
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MaySixth added 11:47 - Nov 13 Let's face it, if Cresswell gets injured we would be very exposed at left back (so good cover) plus this gives us tactical options pushing Cressy forward
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blueherts added 11:47 - Nov 13 Mike is astute and has seen already that our wide men give us no protection - get in bigger/proper FBs and Edwards and Cresswell can both add something going fwd as well as defensively - If we go 3 5 2 be interesting to see - You need fit Players in that Wing Back role and Cresswell and Edwards are , and both have good defensive ability Like that we are adding some height as well - Dont know much about him but hey bring him on - Now for Frimpong

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Popeye added 11:48 - Nov 13 Importantly, is he fit?
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SpecialK79 added 11:50 - Nov 13 he seems to make some tasty tackles! GET INTO 'EM!
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SonOfSpock added 11:57 - Nov 13 What does this say about young joe whight who is supposedly a left back?
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Big_Cahones added 12:03 - Nov 13 People are complaining that this player is a nobody. The players we have got in the past who are "somebodys" haven't exactly proved that they deserve to wear a shirt on a saturday afternoon. All we can say is lets give the man a chance and lets see him play in an Ipswich shirt. Forget what happened at other clubs... he is with us, he is a town player for the time beinfg and lets show our support for the big guy!

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NorthstaNder added 12:05 - Nov 13 Not the kind of player I was expecting to be MM's first signing considering we're trying to get out of the bottom 3. But MM know's best...he must see something in the fella so we should give him a chance.
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Warkys_Tash added 12:08 - Nov 13 Tearle1974, glad you said 'back 4' as that was the same match I was watching too... However, I was amazed & confused to switch on the radio for some clown to say 'that was a great 5-3-2 we played today' WTF?!! A far as I could see it was Cressy, Smith, Higginbotham, Chambers. Any advances on that?
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ThatMuhrenCross added 12:17 - Nov 13 Could work! We lack depth and physicality at the back, so this can only be a bonus, I would have thought. To have been on the books at Lyon and Charlton (when they were in the Prem) means that he probably won't be completely useless!
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