Town have confirmed that former Bristol City skipper Cole Skuse has agreed to join the Blues on a three-year contract on July 1st. The 27-year-old midfielder’s terms with his hometown club are up at the end of June.

Free agent Skuse, whose proposed move to the Blues has been rumoured for some months, told the club site: “I loved my time at Bristol, they gave me a chance in the game and I’ll always be grateful for that.

“It’s the right time for me to move on though. I need a fresh challenge and when I knew Ipswich wanted me, I didn’t have to think too hard about the decision.

“I had a few options but with Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor in charge at Ipswich, that shows the intent of the club to move forward and I can’t wait to get going.”

Robins managing director Jon Lansdown is disappointed to see Skuse depart: “Cole has been a credit to the club since he joined at the age of 10 and has progressed through the system to play more than 300 games for the first team.

“It’s a shame that we have reached a point where it is time for him to move on, but I wish him all the best with his future career.

“Our aim now is to produce more homegrown players like Cole going forward.”

Skuse, who has also played in defence, spent 17 years with his hometown club. Having come through their youth system, he made his senior debut in the 2004/05 season.

The Robins' Player of the Year in 2009/10, Skuse made a total of 245 starts and 62 sub appearances while at Ashton Gate, scoring nine goals.

The 6ft 1in tall midfielder is likely to be the one of several Bosman additions this summer with an increasingly large number of players out of contract each summer and with the Blues unlikely to want to spend too much on fees.

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 10:36 - May 14 First signing of many I feel, COYB
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Steve_M added 10:37 - May 14 Hasn't he seen the training facilities yet then?
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TractorBoy added 10:42 - May 14 Lovely stuff. Welcome, Cole!
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Marcus added 10:44 - May 14 Welcome aboard! Always good to start the summer break with a signing.
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bluemikey100 added 10:47 - May 14 oh yes nice early signing thats what i like plenty more quality please
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ABO1itfc added 10:49 - May 14 Shows intent from Mick, that not only is he rebuilding but winning over players that he wants. Straight replacement for N'Daw i would say. Similar signings to come in the shape of McGoldrick, Alan Judge. If we are going to spend money on players it will be for players Like Stearman, and im hoping Leigh Griffiths.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 10:49 - May 14 Yee Haa!! Not very much will he won't he now!! MM & TC get it done quick. Minimal f@rting about. Brilliant!! Welcome aboard Cole.
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Michael11 added 10:51 - May 14 Nice to see us getting business done early. Gives them a chance to get to know the area and join the other lads at pre-season. Hopefully the first of many. Welcome aboard Cole!
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Ridgeboy83 added 10:52 - May 14 "I had a few options but with Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor in charge at Ipswich, that shows the intent of the club to move forward and I can't wait to get going.” I think that statment by him just shows what MM and TC has brought to this club and should be a busy summer with more signings to come i hope.
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HarryfromBath added 10:58 - May 14 Steve - if he has already signed without seeing the facilities, just think how happy he will be when he does see them! On a more serious note, it is good to see business being concluded sensibly and efficiently. I sensed trouble last summer when our transfer policy was all talk and no action. Mick's approach is the complete opposite to this.
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Strider added 10:58 - May 14 Clearly MM & TC are going to be able to attract the players that they want to the club, something that perhaps hasn't happened for a while. Good to be linked with up and coming players too like Judge & Forrester. Is it me or does that picture of Skuse make him look odd?
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andygizmo added 10:59 - May 14 Got to love the West Country Fans. According to one he will be on £22k a week here!! Yes and I will play for Brazil next month. Be interesting to see how many people want our released players.
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jas0999 added 10:59 - May 14 Excellent. First signing of the Summer already! Makes a change. Welcome. A permanent player as well!
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SouperJim added 11:10 - May 14 Solid signing and already proves that players will want to come and play for Merlin & TC
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Tractorog added 11:11 - May 14 Curious... We've not heard a single comment from the management team about how remote we are.... Just goes to show that the reason we found it hard signing players for the past few seasons was to do with the management either targeting the wrong players or not making players want to play for them.
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nitroblue1970 added 11:21 - May 14 will offer some goalscoring consistency midfield....a goal a season whether we want one or not.....
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MyBlueHeaven added 11:22 - May 14 Skuse me while I kiss this guy.
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Tractamatt added 11:25 - May 14 Welcome aboard Cole looking forwards to seeing you play. Hopefully Judge next then money spent on a 20 goal a season striker. I think a deal will be done for Stearman Cressy will be offered an improved contract along with Chambers and Smith, Tabbs a sure thing (imo) but we need a Goal scorer amd I think MM and TC will be the people to bring one to Portman road.
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WeirdFishes added 11:26 - May 14 Welcome to the club Cole!
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cornishnick added 11:34 - May 14 Wot? No loan?? McCarthy Out!
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CavendishBlue added 11:48 - May 14 keith skuse.....i thought old cardboard shoes was dead!!!!
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Wussinwhiteboots added 11:49 - May 14 Does anyone know if the deal was done when we lost at Ashton Gate, or did he get injured in their next game against Watford as he was not in their squad for the remaining games after this? He only had 24 league appearances in the season.
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francisb123 added 12:03 - May 14 Awful signing which again questions if micks the right man
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FenboyBlue added 12:10 - May 14 So that's who Keyser Soze was ?
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Mark added 12:31 - May 14 I'm very pleased to see this deal confirmed. Signing a 27-year-old former team captain and player of the season for free sounds like very good business.
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