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Town Confirm Pitman Signing Friday, 26th Jun 2015 16:08
Town have completed the signing of AFC Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman on a three-year deal with an option for a further season. We understand that the 27-year-old has joined on a free transfer.
Last season Pitman scored 14 goals - including a first-half hat-trick against Blackpool in March - in 21 starts and 18 sub appearances as the Cherries topped the Championship and reached the Premier League for the first time in their history.
The striker told Ipswich Player HD that the switch didn't take long to complete: “The move happened fairly quickly, to be honest, but I’d heard of the interest for a couple of days.
“As soon as I heard that Ipswich were interested, it was something that got me really excited straight away.
“I know there’s a good group of lads here and I know Cole Skuse very well, who told me nothing but positive things about the club.
“The lads went close last season, just falling a little short in the play-offs, but with the squad already in place here you’d expect them to be able to go again.
“The manager spoke to me briefly and, as I’ve already said, coming to Ipswich was a move that really appealed to me and got me excited to get the deal done.”
Cherries manager Eddie Howe paid tribute to Pitman for his contribution with the Dorset club.
“Brett had a year left on his contract and I couldn’t make him any promises regarding playing time next season," he told the Bournemouth Echo.
“I really left the decision to him as to what he chose to do with the next step of his career. He wanted the security of a longer contract which we couldn’t offer him so he decided to join Ipswich.
“I want to thank him for everything he has done for me and for this football club. He will be fondly remembered by everyone here and has been instrumental in our past three promotions.”
He added: “Brett has been worth his weight in gold over the past two seasons because he has played his part on and off the pitch. He was a brilliant supporter of the other players when he wasn’t involved and was a real team player.
“That is why, at this stage of his career, I couldn’t stand in his way if there was a move he wanted to pursue. I had to be very honest with him and let him know where he stood and that is why the outcome has ended up how it has.”
The St Helier-born frontman started his career with Bournemouth before joining Bristol City in 2010 for a reported £1 million, after a proposed switch to Blackpool had broken down.
He returned to Dean Court initially on loan in December 2012 before signing a permanent deal the following summer.
Overall Pitman, who won promotion from all three Football League divisions while with the Cherries and is their fourth-highest all-time goalscorer, netted 102 goals in 174 starts and 127 sub appearances for the Dorset club. For Bristol City he scored 20 goals in 36 starts and 45 games from the bench.
Photo: ITFC
Photo: Action Images
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Welcome Brett, Refreshing to see someone who wants to play rather than sit on his rear end in the prem I am sure you are going to be a success at Ipswich
Murphy, McGoldrick, Pitman and Sears for a total of £100,000... I'm not sure there's another club anywhere near our level to have brought in as many goals for as little outlay.
Welcome to our great football club Brett. May you have a very prolific goalscoring career here. Just when I,m feeling that things are a bit too quiet on the transfer front, Mick pulls 2 rabbits out of hat. Now for a right back & creative midfielder. What odds on a Town/Burnley top two next season I wonder.
Free? Seriously? Free? Football has gone officially bonkers. 8 million for Mings and a nippy youngster thrown in and Pitman for free. That's good business. Ambition blah blah blah. Great work. As stated big Mick is canny.
Bottom line we made playoffs last year as asked. Despite much similar doom mongering and premeture predictions of mid table mediocrity. 2 signings in 1 to come oldest is 27, youngest 17.
Leaves me wondering what's left that hasn't happened yet that people can whinge about.
This seems like great business by all concerned at Portman Road and all done quietly as it should be. I've got a feeling MM is going to play McGoldrick in the middle as more of a creator with Murphy Sears and Pitman as a 3 up front. All out attack is the way to go. Could still use a proper RB .
Very encouraging and reassuringly positive signing. Think this could be Sears pushing Pitman rather than vice versa - don't misinterpret this, I am a 100% fan of Freddie (always exciting), in itself a great signing. Just recalling a comment by MM following playoff 2nd leg along the lines of .. 'not bad luck, bad technique' (may have got it wrong though). Whatever, Didz, Freddie, Murph, Pitman = scary. That said there's bound to be more ins and out during July. Can't wait for 8/8.
Yes, a good signing, and a long term deal which is welcome. We have the basis now let's decorate the cake with a marquee signing. We have the funds now so let's get some quality in!
Marvelous stuff. God what a difference from our last few "managers". Jewell and Clegg would have been broadcasting our interest in players, alerting others and giving the target players club the message that we are desparate so that they then raise the price. While the invariably protracted negotiations were going on another club would nip in and make the signing. Keane would have been intimidating the target player so very few of them would have wanted to come. So much to be thankful for in MM's method of doing business. If we hold on to Murphy, McG Berra and Bish this could be our season........
Absolutely brilliant bit of business and another left footer (Istill feel there is something sinister going on at the Club), defenders will be quaking seeing any combination of our attacking force next season.
Unbelievable that we've got him on a free transfer! - surely we must spend on some quality now for midfield...haven't we? All the best Brett hope you play well for us!
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