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

Walk_the_Wark added 01:27 - Jul 21 Thank god no Bramble!!! Let's get promoted and established in Prem. Then get rid of the thick t%%t and get a manager who wants to play football!! Onwards and upwards!!! COYB
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Walk_the_Wark added 01:29 - Jul 21 Really hope Chopra doesn't leave. He's easily our best finisher!
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BobbyBlueLamb123 added 01:44 - Jul 21 If look at his photo above he looks to have a worried look on his face perhaps he has just realised he has taking a big drop in his wages
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mrmorisato added 02:04 - Jul 21 I think it better to have central defenders on permanent deals as loan players don't tend to make rock solid partnerships.
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mrmorisato added 02:06 - Jul 21 Really looking forward to this season, how long has it been since ITFC had a proper sized squad that provided cover for every position? Since the Royle era circa.2005??? I think so!!! :)
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TractorBeezer added 03:11 - Jul 21 Excellent news and such a change from all of the excuses of previous pre-seasons. What really resonates with me is the fact that our signings are known to Mick, Terry and staff rather than desperate and expensive moves. Only concern is that we haven't been playing the highest calibre of teams for pre-season stuff, nevertheless I am extremely confident . As others have observed, it is evident that our new players are motivated and inspired to play for MM and TC.

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ArnieMsBigToe added 09:04 - Jul 21 Brilliant!! Hey Walberswick; hey DaleyITFC. Where is your negative spin on this one? I think I might have a little flutter on promotion as well. Gotta be worth it. MM and TC . . . magic!!
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LankHenners added 09:07 - Jul 21 Talk about getting a job done! It's not even August and we've already signed 8(?) players! Great to have a solid team before the season starts rather than trying to build a team whilst we are still playing games!
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SheptonMalletBlue added 09:23 - Jul 21 Great news that Bramble's not signing!!!!!!
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billlm added 09:30 - Jul 21 anthonykidd im with u on this one great player for town when he was younger,got good money for him but nows not a good time for him to come here to robust we need defenders who are comfortable on the ball
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whittonite added 09:36 - Jul 21 great stuff mick seems to getting mass backing for some good decisions made recentley.come on lets get the season started already.....coyb
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yun added 09:41 - Jul 21 We appear to have a squad with competition in every department. And without breaking the bank, too. I would still like to see more goal potential imported from somewhere, so a couple of tasty forward signings before August would be just perfect.
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Jimmy86 added 09:49 - Jul 21 Wark the line I agree with you regarding chopra!! Still a good finisher at this level
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Lukeybluey added 10:23 - Jul 21 superb.com
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colonel added 10:47 - Jul 21 Really good news he's joined us, the signings this week could be the pivotal turning point in our last decade of woes. There should be plenty of opportunities for all the centre backs over the season & we will need the various combinations to work to cope with injuries, suspensions & international call ups (particularly for Tommy). Still feel our midfield could do with a boost and it will be interesting to see what happens on that front & who becomes available once the usual Premier League merrygoround settles down. With the arrival of quite a few new players it is rereshing to not hear the usual 'need time to gel' BS being freely lauded around. MM's style seems to be a more no excuses & down to earth approach than previous. Having said that its a long season & there will be some ups & downs along the way, and we will need to be 100% behind the lads even when it's not going our way keeping our expectations in check.

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MathieITFC added 11:18 - Jul 21 Didn't mean to post my comment 3 times sorry haha
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blue_moon09 added 11:44 - Jul 21 It's great Town have signed decent players permanently instead of on loan, but how many of you idiots that leave stupid comments on here will actually see them play more than two or three times next season? On the ball City...
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lonelyblue added 11:48 - Jul 21 Blue moon is back everybody, insulting us all. This time we are idiots. Dearest, do you believe there should be some kind of twtd filter that only allows season ticket holders like me, and presumably you, to post comments? A fiver says you'll still call us rude names. What's the point?
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 11:53 - Jul 21 So how long before we sign up Sylvan Ebanks-Blake?
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warktheline added 12:45 - Jul 21 H32,can you give us an HONEST spin on the latest events.
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gypo added 13:00 - Jul 21 Wow go away for the night camping and come back to read yet more exciting news !! Got a gut feeling that a big money striker signing may be the final piece to MM jigsaw. That's the only thing your not going to get on the cheap. Billy sharp maybe ? COYB
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ian_marshall added 13:00 - Jul 21 Welcome to town Christophe
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brockleyblueboy added 13:28 - Jul 21 This will certainly make us a Berra team!
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Keaneish added 13:48 - Jul 21 Right... How many we taking to Reading then?
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miiikkeyyyy added 14:03 - Jul 21 I'm really happy at signing Berra! At only 28 he still has a few years in him. I think that, even though the Chambo/Smithy partnership is great, that there will be a fair bit of healthy competition bought into the club. Same goes with Veseli and Hewitt, two young lads who want to impress a great manager. As for the "he loves the opponents shirts" or "he gives too many penalties".. When he played for Mick McCarthy at Wolves, you never heard anything like this. When things went bad at Wolves, he got a lot of blame. Under the right manager a player can perform well.. We should know! Look how a change in management changed a team we already had! Look at Loach, Cressy, Chambo, Smithy, Hyam and Martin all stepped up their game.. Same players, different manager! Anyways, I'm so happy! In MM we trust!

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