Town have confirmed the signing of former Crystal Palace left-back Jonathan Parr on a two-year deal. The 25-year-old was a free agent having been released by the Eagles at the end of last season.

Oslo-born Parr, who is 6ft tall, has won Norwegian caps at U17, U19 and U21 levels and has played for the senior side nine times.

Prior to joining Palace in July 2011, he played for Lyn and then Aalesund, having previously been with youth sides Holmlia, KFUM Oslo and Hauger. He made 82 starts and 19 sub appearances for the South Londoners, scoring two goals.

Speaking last week, Parr's father and advisor Roger revealed that there had also been interest from clubs in Europe, as well as from Bolton, who are managed by his former Palace boss Dougie Freedman.

Town fans may remember the new signing best for having been stretchered off with an ankle injury - which saw him miss the first five months of last season - during the Blues' 3-0 victory over the Eagles at Portman Road in April 2013 following a solid but fair Richard Stearman challenge.

Parr told Ipswich Player that he's hoping to put that behind him: “I did my ankle at Portman Road, so not the best memory for me! Hopefully, I can create some good memories in my time here.

“It’s been a long summer, trying to sort out where I’m going to play my football. I spoke to a number of clubs but I had a good feeling about Ipswich.

“I watched Ipswich play last season and they looked a good team. The manager told me what we wants from his team and how he’s looking to be pushing for a place in the top six.

“That’s where I want to be. Everyone wants to play at the highest level and I’ve joined Ipswich to help the club get in the Premier League.

“Having been here today and speaking to a lot of people, it looks a club that is all working together and that’s made me feel even better about the decision I have made.

“I spoke to Jonny Williams, who was here on loan last season, of course, and he couldn’t speak highly enough of the club. Maybe I can get him to join me. I’ll give it a go. It could be fun!”

Parr will join up with the Town squad tomorrow, the rest of the players having flown out for their training camp at Carton House in Co Kildare earlier today.

Photo/Clip: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

DanLyles added 17:07 - Jul 7 I like most of what I have read about Parr on the Palace forums. Athletic (pace and strength), good going forward, just a couple of question marks over his positioning but that will improve with age I'm sure. It's good he's 6ft tall too as sometimes the style of Championship football with lots of long balls, both straight and diagonal, can catch out shorter full backs. On the other flank I wonder whether MM will continue to play Chambers at RB or give Hewitt a run out there? If Taylor is given a fair crack at the whip and we can sign someone like Williams in midfield then I think we will be top 6 or higher :) BRING ON THE NEW SEASON!!!

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blueherts added 17:12 - Jul 7 Hogan or Winnall , Lad from Fleetwood - Serbian/Italian in midfield or maybe Eagles ? from Bolton - keep the Golf punc going
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dirtyboy added 17:12 - Jul 7 If I'm honest, I don't know a great deal about him, but to make player of the season shows there's ability there and likely good work rate, as that's something nearly every fan spots, something McCarthy will be keen on. What i'm puzzled by is the situation with Mings. I'm sure Parr is now a shoe in for the LB slot, given his experience and reason for signing. Mings may possibly be off on a loan deal with a 24 hour recall or something to gain valuable experience, which I find strange given what Mick had said about Mings last season. Difficult to second guess MM on this one, but all will become clear I suppose.

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Tommyc added 17:12 - Jul 7 ITFCRealist would appear to be a unrealistic name? A very good under the radar replacement for Cresswell in a matter of days. Agree that a creative midfielder is our main requirement now and we will be not that far way from a play off challenge. Have to accept that we are hugely disadvantaged against relegated sides and MM is our best bet of galvanising a side with more limited resources

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TractorBeezer added 17:16 - Jul 7 I am very encouraged with the way that things are shaping up. As others have suggested we probably just need a couple more players. With the possible exception of McGoldrick we'll be able to hit the ground running on August 9th. Fulham will be shaking in their boots! UP THE TRACTOR BOYS!
4

kuyski added 17:16 - Jul 7 Quality signing！Who is next？very interesting，ha ha！
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:18 - Jul 7 I agree with those slating this signing I mean quality players are not released on Frees, Ashley Cole? No Thanks, Lamps? wouldn't touch him with Citys, Gareth Barry, more like Gareth cant play football. No clearly any player released by any club must be crap there is no doubt. Thank god we are not forking out for the above over paid Muppets. I mean Berra he was Free wasn't he and player of the season but he was released so he must be crap. DS No, wait sorry, Got that wrong Realist is clearly A, a troll, B blind or C watching cricket.

4

LiamCP123 added 17:19 - Jul 7 SOLID LEFT BACK, WELL DONE MICK!
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bohslegend added 17:19 - Jul 7 Has a 'Herman' look about him. Can only be a good thing.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:21 - Jul 7 Some bloke called Ferdinand knocking about? Never heard of him but he's free so we best not sign him. 81 England caps, some champions league trophies and few PL titles, doesn't point to much does it best steer well clear. Some people are just mugs I suppose
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coyb99 added 17:22 - Jul 7 'ITFCRealist added 16:56 - Jul 7 It simply proves how far we have fallen We have lost a player in the team of season and replaced him a player released as not good enough by Palace? And people call it good business.' Call yourself ITFCRealist? Think you should name yourself ITFCPessimist to be honest!
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Tractorog added 17:27 - Jul 7 ITFC Realist... so signing young international players released by premiership teams is a step backwards.... hmmm not saying that just to get a rise are you? Parr may be a Norwegian, but you are the Troll.
6

GerkensBeard added 17:29 - Jul 7 Excellent signing and replacement for Cresswell. A different type of left back to Cressy too. Cresswell being in the same mould as Leighton Baines with a great left foot and delivery, and Parr being in the same sort of mould as Luke Shaw. Will miss Cressys assists and deliveries but Parr is so attacking it will be like playing with 2 left midfielders. Very strong and quick, very excited about this signing and can't wait to see him in a town shirt. Great deal

5

KieranMcKenna1 added 17:29 - Jul 7 4 great signings with Bialkowski next COYB.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 17:49 - Jul 7 A good replacement for Cresswell. MM certainly doesn,t p#ss about when it comes to signing players.
4

BlueLight added 17:50 - Jul 7 Could be the signing of the season for us. Great bit of business by Mick ( yet again ).
3

TractorCam added 17:53 - Jul 7 What a signing! Welcome Parr
3

tractorgrl added 17:53 - Jul 7 Looks hench
0

chepstowblue added 17:53 - Jul 7 In my view we have a better left back now than we had last week....... and weve made a few quid!
2

blueboy1981 added 17:58 - Jul 7 ....... I find it strange, to say the least, at how excited some supporters become when we make a signing - every player becomes an almost 'world class' act when they sign for us !!! This is irrespective of whether they cost nothing, been released by another Club, returning from injury, or whatever. Welcome to Portman Road Jonathan Parr - I hope you do very well for us - however, I shall remain cautious and not euphoric, until this happens. ITFCRealist - makes a valid point that cannot be denied - I just hope, and no doubt he does too, that he is proved wrong and Parr becomes that 'good' signing. Now let's see a decent Goalkeeper signed - long overdue it is.

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Cochise added 18:33 - Jul 7 Parr played for my hometown club Aalesund before joining Palace. On Aalesund he used to play as a left midfielder, before he later was used in the left back position. So Parr can do a good job for Town as a midfield player as well, and and Town can keep Mings on as left back. I am very pleased to see Parr on my favourite english team. :-)
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BluedanW added 18:36 - Jul 7 If I remember rightly In the game mentioned above he was very dangerous, and it looked like we were going to get battered by palace. But then once he was stretchered off the game changed and we went onto win well. For the twenty minutes he played that day he looked quite a solid player who liked to get forward, so may be able to provide some assists too.
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theobald1985 added 19:02 - Jul 7 high quality left back at championship level really pleasing-welcome to ipswich JP come on you blues
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martleshamitfc added 19:16 - Jul 7 This is a great signing and business. To get an International player at the age of 25 on a "free" to replace Cresswell is fantastic. Well done!
1

LWNR2013 added 19:30 - Jul 7 'Business'
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