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

cooper4england added 12:17 - Nov 13 Is this guy on loan?
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WeirdFishes added 12:26 - Nov 13 Erm....okay?
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ArnieMsBigToe added 12:27 - Nov 13 StuartBrett9: My sentiments exactly!! No speculation. . . No will he, wont he. . . No rumours about joining other clubs . . . No Joel Ward or Luke Chambers - like situations. No Kourouma-like negotiations with former clubs. Just BISH BOSH WALLOP!! JOB DONE. Come on Mick McCarthy!!
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Pessimistic added 12:28 - Nov 13 Worth a look I guess. Never heard of him but sometimes out of the dirt you find some real gems!
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Vic added 12:30 - Nov 13 Didn't see that one coming!
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Vic added 12:38 - Nov 13 I know nothing about the guy and don't want to undermine him- but maybe we should moderate our pleasure a little by looking at his CV! Not exactly bulging with success is it!
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RetroBlue added 12:44 - Nov 13 "click, click click " all starting to fall into place. Now how difficult was that - when you rightly identify where the priority problem areas to cover are , eh ?! the team is potentially already starting to have BALANCE !
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eaii added 12:45 - Nov 13 Good signing and what a relief we have a manager who seems to know what he is doing!
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daniel9624 added 12:49 - Nov 13 Great decision, Whight is no where near ready if Cresswell gets injured. Can't see Youga being anything more than cover. MM seems to be putting the pieces together, his fresh view on things seems to have brought some much needed perspective, to the squad if not the Fans!
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tearle1974 added 12:55 - Nov 13 Yes Warkys Tash, it sounded we had 5 at the back. However with MM after match interview he comfirmed that Edwards is attacking and it was 442. It worked well and if we had problems he would help at the back. PJ tinkered too many times. MM will tinker but not at the back. It was plain to see his motive is to sort out our defence. especially after the palace game. Think Hyam could be brought in midfield just in front for Saturday too.

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bluelady added 13:01 - Nov 13 Grief why some people come on here I don't know they misread articles interpret everything in their own negative spin and moan! This guy is a town player till jan NOT on loan. He can play CB too so good cover. What is the risk? Wright is not ready to be thrown into a relegation battle we need experience. Who knows if this guy will even play in the first team? Don't forget also Danny H go

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bluelady added 13:03 - Nov 13 As I was saying Danny h may go back in Jan leaving us totally short at the back. This guy could turn out to be a legend or a flop who knows. Lets wait and see what big Micks plans are my betting is emergency cover and see how he gets on on res and training etc. at least we are looking at a bigger stronger team of round pegs :-)
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carlo88 added 13:07 - Nov 13 That early 5-0 tonking under Mick might just have been the best possible result to tell him exactly what was needed.
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Michael11 added 13:13 - Nov 13 As much as this looks a bad signing, we have to have cover for cresswell and obviously no more loans available and can't sign permanent players til january so i think this will just be a short term thing. I'm just pleased that Mick is addressing the big problems like Edwards going into midfield and signing players to cut out complacency or cover! COYB
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gypo added 13:13 - Nov 13 Correct me if I'm wrong but reo-cocker and Kelly don't come into the loan player rules as they were free agents and just signed contracts until january
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JewellintheTown added 13:29 - Nov 13 @gypo - who's Reo Cocker? Is that Jarvis's Brazilian Cousin?
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kerryblue added 13:31 - Nov 13 A bit of competition for Cresswell who hasnt been at his best this season and will keep him looking over his shoulder.
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Daleyitfc added 13:34 - Nov 13 What a dreadful signing.
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Stato added 13:43 - Nov 13 Fair play I misread the story. Not sure how it makes me a moron but either way I'll hold my hands up
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wd546 added 13:43 - Nov 13 Can't help feeling positive about everything Mick does at the moment!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 14:07 - Nov 13 daleyitfc - you have one up on me on this, cos i haven't seen this lad play. Perhaps you could tell us when you did and what his short comings were ???? Cos.... I mean ....you have seen him play , havent you ??
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Warkys_Tash added 14:07 - Nov 13 @Daleyitfc DO ONE. Phil, strike him off, please. We don't need his continued negativity
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Warkys_Tash added 14:18 - Nov 13 and take Walberswick with you.
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BiGDonnie added 14:19 - Nov 13 Chances are he's been signed to give Cresser a kick up the backside. He's no longer guaranteed a start so we might see him start to perform how he did last year.
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Edmunds5 added 14:21 - Nov 13 What if Cresswell goes and breaks his ankle against Leicester? if Joe Whight comes in and looks nervous then we're short. So getting another natural left back in for a while isn't really a big deal, cant think his wages would be much neither. This is where we have to trust Mick, his first signing and its already being questioned. I'd imagine the signing of Kightly from Grays had Wolves fans scrating heads too. I wont be questioning Micks decisions, Mick is a professional football manager, I wont win.

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