Boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that former Wolves central defender Christophe Berra has joined the Blues on a two-year deal. Berra, who we understand put pen to paper on his contract on Friday evening, was with the Town squad during today’s 1-0 victory at Barnet.

McCarthy confirmed that after a couple of weeks of speculation the deal was done: “We’ve signed him. I’m delighted with that one it’s a fantastic signing.

"He helped get us promoted at Wolves and helped keep us in the league for two seasons and I’m amazed actually that it’s gone so long and he hasn’t got a club. I’m delighted, it’s terrific for us.”

The Blues boss confirmed that although Titus Bramble is welcome to continue training at Playford Road, he won’t be taking things any further: “Titus had other options and like all of us, we’re all spinning plates a little bit. He’s doing it himself. I explained to him in the week that I can’t just wait indefinitely to sign him and he understood that.

“I also understood if he disappeared and wanted to sign for somebody else. It’s fairly uncomplicated - I’ve signed Christophe and it ain’t happening.

McCarthy has also ended his interest in Tottenham’s South African centre-half Bongani Khumalo, who played at Crawley and Gillingham: “He was terrific but he’s a loan player and I’ve signed a really good, I’d say top Championship centre-half that’s our player, an Ipswich player for two years. It’s a complete and utter no-brainer to do that as opposed to have a player on loan.

“I was really sorry for Bongani, I had to apologise to him, but as I explained to him, if Stoke or West Brom had come in for him he would have done one because he’d have had a better deal.

“And it is for us and I have to look after the club. Loan deals with a call-back clause in January are not for me and I know Christophe, he’s terrific.”

Ex-Arsenal youngster Conor Henderson is understood to be training with the Blues in the week to come but McCarthy says no deal is yet done to sign the midfielder: “We spoke to him in the summer and we’ll see whether that happens.”

The Town boss said he has had no interest in any members of his squad.

Photo: Action Images

bohslegend added 18:35 - Jul 20 How many years is it since we've had this kind of optimism at PR??!! Absolutely cannot wait for this season to get going, MM doing a fantastic job, kept us up when we all felt doomed, brought in some serious quality despite having no money to spend, so what the next piece of magic? Promotion????? Could it be possible??????
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meekreech added 18:37 - Jul 20 Tractamatt According to one M Allen it will be a team with no quality or style ! With no loan players or ex prem stars we will certainly struggle to survive . We cannot have this attitude of signing players on contracts before the close of the window , how will we manage without panic signings or worry about players we are linked with but do not come as we are out of civilised areas ! This well organised management team must go !!!

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daniel9624 added 18:37 - Jul 20 Still think we are a strike but thats it, come on 13/14!
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StuartBrett8 added 18:39 - Jul 20 FANTASTIC signing :)
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TractorBoy666 added 18:48 - Jul 20 Normally TWTD is a busy website for us being linked with everybody, but recently everytime I come on here we have signed someone! Really feeling optimistic about this season, and a top half finish is a certainty. Who knows if we can go one step more, but I just cannot wait till August 3rd!!
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TrumptonBlue added 18:50 - Jul 20 "He was terrific but he's a loan player and I've signed a really good, I'd say top Championship centre-half that's our player" This is a wonderfully refreshing attitude. Well done, MM. Another really good signing, I think.
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ntoms97 added 18:54 - Jul 20 Khumalo seemed good bit unhappy that he left but it was for the best great signing I think Bramble would have been a good back-up but the fee would be unreachable
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ntoms97 added 18:54 - Jul 20 *salary not fee
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linesyrules added 18:57 - Jul 20 The way MM conducts this managerial business is just a joy to watch. So happy to finally have a proper football manager in charge of our wonderful football club. Wish I could buy him a beer!! Well done team, the coming season will be the best for many years. Can't wait.
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sereneblue added 18:57 - Jul 20 No Bramble,thank god. Berra,a young player who isn't a loan player,well done Mick.
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itfcserbia added 19:04 - Jul 20 As i said - internationally experienced CB at good age for free. Well done MM!
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essextractorboy93 added 19:06 - Jul 20 Great signing. Real competition for places at the back and some versatile players, Veseli, Mings, Smith can play left back if needed, Chambers right back. We have lots of options. Thats the defence sorted I think, I think one more attacking central midfielder and possibly striker now.
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TractorCam added 19:16 - Jul 20 Good to see, spotted Christophe in the stands with some of the players today, will be a decent squad member to have
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 19:20 - Jul 20 For Sale! Going Cheap! Anyone want to buy a job lot of 1000 blue and white vuvuzelas? No longer wanted by me as Bongani no longer wanted by us!
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peteswindon added 19:21 - Jul 20 feeling good about this season, first time in a long long time. :-)
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floridaboy added 19:29 - Jul 20 Roll on Reading Loach Veseli, Berra, Smith, Cresswell Anderson, Skuse, Hyam, Tabb Murphy, McGoldrick Definitely play Veseli instead of Hewitt to give the defence a bit more height
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runningout added 19:29 - Jul 20 all well and good, but some of you need to calm down a bit.. welcome to the funny farm Mr Berra he he
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RichOBlue added 19:32 - Jul 20 Good news chopra goin barnsley or sheff wed even better news!!
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RichOBlue added 19:33 - Jul 20 Good news chopra goin barnsley or sheff wed even better news!!
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IpswichLewis added 19:37 - Jul 20 I'm Absolutely Astonished At How Much Activity Town Have Had In This Transfer Window. Absolutely Awesome...Some Great Competition For Positions Next Season...I'm Hoping Big Mick will push Cressy into Left Mid because I think he will be quality in this position. He's so attacking minded. Roll on the 3rd @ Reading...Bloooo Aaarmyyyyy!!!
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 19:41 - Jul 20 Anyone want to have a rough guess on the current transfer value of the players we have picked up for free? Not an exact science I know, I'm still trying to rough it out, but I think we have added a few million to the squad value without spending a pound in transfer fees.
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MooseJuice added 19:43 - Jul 20 Brilliant signing. MM, with your track record so far you might as well put in a call for Darren Bent... you'd probably get him!
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thebeat added 19:44 - Jul 20 Floridaboy according to the internet both Veseli and Hewitt are 5"11. Gona be a tough call in virtually every position for Mick this season. Cresswell and Smith will be first choice but apart from that its anybodys guess. Strength in depth for a change. Im so excited about the new season that a little bit of p**s is coming out!!
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Kavo1878 added 19:48 - Jul 20 Another great signing, looks like MM & TC really know what they're doing, bring on the start of the season! COYB!
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Seasider added 19:52 - Jul 20 Everyone seems happy on here although not sure about Running Out.Even Chris Makins says his friend Larry is happy!
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