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

Stretchstar added 18:06 - May 14 Have to say i'm loving how MM (Merlin) "just does it!" Gone are the days of excuses, (PJ and RK alike) no messing about!! And players obviously want to play for him / them. Trying not to get too over ambitious.............but my god i can't wait for next season!! COYB!!!!
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ntoms97 added 18:18 - May 14 What's happening with the wolves guys then
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richnblue added 18:26 - May 14 Good to see business has tarted in building a football club again... Long time over due.. Also goes to prove that the location of this grand football club has absolutely nothing to do with attracting players, but merely the dross that was here before no player wanted to serve under.. First of many lets hope, the building work has begun... Well done to MM & TC
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Dissboyitfc added 18:41 - May 14 i will get marked down for this i know, but a midfielder who has notched only 9 goals in over 300 appearances, thats one goal a season when you consider his debut was in 2004. sorry for being negative here, i havent seen him play all i have is his stats, that said i trust MM and TC ... coyb
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RedDust added 18:58 - May 14 ...Rat on your crew and Keysere Soze will get you!
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h32 added 19:21 - May 14 Dissboyitfc - fair comment - essentially a defensive midfielder obviously, but let's hope MM /TC has someone in mind who is capable of scoring a few goals from midfield (sadly lacking for far to long) - in my opinion. Has to be said that defensive traits will always be a formost part of MM's thinking - but who's complaining at that right now ? Going forward 'Goals from Midfield' are an absolute must tho'.

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TimmyH added 19:37 - May 14 Welcome aboard fella! hope everything goes well.
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Kropotkin123 added 20:01 - May 14 @ andygizmo: My Bristol City friend says he was on 12k-a-week, so I assume he is on 12-15k here.
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BuckieBlue added 21:28 - May 14 I now he's been in Bristol since he was10 but what nationality is he?
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Stato added 22:01 - May 14 Good to see dissboy not marked down. There is nothing wrong with debating our signings on here before we all get behind the team on a saturday. Also agree with H32 that we need goals from midfield next season. Some goals from the forwards might be handy too
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Menton added 06:30 - May 15 Cole Skuse: Cardboard Shoes
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