Departing defender Aaron Cresswell has thanked Town’s fans, manager Mick McCarthy and owner Marcus Evans for their support during his three years at Portman Road. The 24-year-old completed a £4 million switch to West Ham this evening, signing a five-year deal.

“I would like to put on record my sincere thanks to the owner, manager and fans at Ipswich for their fantastic support over the past three years,” Cresswell told the club website.

“I’m sad to be leaving Ipswich Town as I’ve built up a great relationship with everyone at the club, however it’s a huge opportunity to play in the Premier League and ‎a challenge I’m looking forward to taking up.

“The manager and players have been brilliant with me and I genuinely wish them and the club every success for the season ahead. I'll be keeping an eye on their results.

“I look forward to seeing some familiar faces in July ‎when West Ham play at Portman Road during pre-season.”

Coincidentally, West Ham are at Portman Road for their first friendly of pre-season on Wednesday 16th July (KO 7.45pm).

Cresswell's former club Tranmere Rovers are entitled to 20 per cent of the profit the Blues have made on the £420,000 they paid for him following his summer 2011 switch to Portman Road.

A Football League tribunal set a compensation figure of an initial £240,000 plus milestone clauses, with only a £100,000 payment on promotion to the Premier League not triggered.

Cresswell, named in the Championship Team of Year for 2013/14, made 138 appearances for Town, all starts, scoring seven goals. He will join up with the West Ham squad for their training camp in France tomorrow.

Photo: Action Images

Mark added 23:18 - Jul 3 Best wishes for the future, Aaron. Do well at West Ham and make sure you earn ITFC those top ups! :-)
2

mrblue added 23:23 - Jul 3 Not surprised great player now mm has a bit cash hopefully be able to bring in some quality
2

TractorBoy666 added 23:24 - Jul 3 It's not too often you see one of our players go for a fee especially in the last few years, just shows how well Aaron did here. Thanks for putting 110% into every game Cressy and we wish you very well for the future!
3

JackITFC96 added 23:25 - Jul 3 Fantastic player, and we have watched him get better and better, let's all get behind the lad and hope to watch him get better in the premier league, thanks cressy
1

NoCanariesAllowed added 23:32 - Jul 3 I shall never forget your competitive debut at Bristol City, Aaron. Watching you get your head to ball after ball, making perfect sliding challenges and darting down that left wing... Hard to believe it was your first match at Championship level. From that day forward, the only way was up. Thanks for a great three years and best of luck to you in your top flight adventure.

6

PortmanPie78 added 00:25 - Jul 4 Your welcome
1

NoelTheDub added 02:03 - Jul 4 Well deserved
1

TrueBlueFerret added 02:22 - Jul 4 Alls Well that Ends Well :-( Cheers Cressy Ferret@Elmswell ;-)
0

Sindre94 added 04:59 - Jul 4 Good luck aaron
1

Tufty added 06:48 - Jul 4 Hope you have better fortune than some of our big money transfer out players - good luck. and good luck tyrone mings
0

ITFCFan added 07:22 - Jul 4 A true professional and only at the age of 24 not once has he moaned, asked to leave or put in a transfer request when he was linked to so many premiership clubs! I'm gutted he's left but he totally deserves his move! Thanks for all you've done and effort you've given to the club I love, Best of luck fella with the Hammers and lets hopefully see you in a England shirt one day! Now ME, MM, TC Lets get this money well spent and get us back in the Big Time were we belong!!! COYB!!!

2

SWGF added 07:26 - Jul 4 I'd wager he didn't say/write one word of that statement!
-6

blueherts added 07:51 - Jul 4 Thanks Paul Jewell !!! Now if Hewitt can kick on - Happy Days Go get Forrester from Doncaster
1

pennblue added 07:53 - Jul 4 Well done on securing this move, you deserve it.
1

Michael11 added 08:54 - Jul 4 Good luck Cressy. I can see him getting plaudits next season from whipping balls in for Andy Carroll.
1

TractorCam added 09:39 - Jul 4 Shame it's happened but it was always going to.Best of luck in the prem, looking forward to seeing him play
1

Lightningboy added 10:16 - Jul 4 Cheerio and cheers Aaron. Time for Mings to step up.
1

roytheboy added 11:07 - Jul 4 Thank you and very best wishes for your future.
1

StowTractorBoy added 15:29 - Jul 4 Nocanaries I too remember that fantastic challenge at Ashton Gate and it was right in front of the Town fans. Mr Chopra had a super game that day as well just shows the success and failure stories in football since that day. Well done Cressy you never let us down and always gave your best for the Club. Good luck with the Hammers and hope we will see you playing against us in the Premiership in the not too distant future.

1

WestNorfolk_Blue added 20:53 - Jul 4 Cannot fault your attitude and commitment, thanks for your great service. It is a great shame but always on the cards. Do us all proud and continue to progress at W Ham All the best Aaron
0

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