Town have completed the signing of Leeds midfielder Toumani Diagouraga on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 29-year-old completed a medical at Portman Road earlier today and joins up with his new team-mates ahead of Saturday’s game at Preston North End.

Speaking about Diagouraga following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield, manager Mick McCarthy said: “[He’s someone to add a bit of power to the midfield] and a bit of ability.

“He was the one at Brentford that got on the ball and started it all off in that really good team that got in the play-offs, I’m delighted with that one.”

Born in Paris of Malian descent, Diagouraga played youth football with Paris St Germain before moving on to Watford, where he made a handful of appearances and spent time on loan with Swindon, Rotherham and Hereford, who he joined on a permanent basis in 2008.

Spells with Peterborough, Brentford and Portsmouth (loan) followed, before he joined Leeds last January.

Delighted to have joined @Official_ITFC can't wait to get started– Toumani diagouraga (@toums20) January 23, 2017

He went on to made 14 starts and 16 sub appearances for the Whites, scoring three goals, but his only game this season was on the opening day of the campaign.

The 6ft 2in tall midfielder, who is contracted to Leeds until the summer of 2018, is surplus to requirements at Elland Road and had been close to a move to Rotherham, but that deal broke down last week.

Diagouraga, who was the Brentford Supporters' Player of the Year in their 2014/15 Championship play-off campaign, has been handed the number 37 shirt.

Photo: Action Images

ITFCGloryDays added 16:28 - Jan 23 An exciting midfield of Skuse, Douglas and Diagouraga... Enthralling. Can see a threat of goals from those 3.
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beornioblue added 16:28 - Jan 23 Welcome to ITFC
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MonterreyBlue added 16:28 - Jan 23 Welcome to Ipswich Town FC, one of the countries finest Football Clubs. We wish you all the luck in the world. COYBs
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hampstead_blue added 16:30 - Jan 23 Can't be worse than Douglas
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StuartBrett8 added 16:31 - Jan 23 Seems a big strong lad, and good with his feet... welcome aboard :)
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Mark added 16:32 - Jan 23 Welcome Toumani, and best of luck. I think he will help our side over the rest of the season, after all a 29-year-old defensive midfielder has to be better in a defensive midfield role than a 35-year-old Douglas being asked to do that. Maybe Diagouraga will do well and sign permanently in the summer, although no doubt other clubs will be interested if he does impress. This signing does run contrary to point 3 of Marcus Evans' plan though: ‘To make annual investment funds available to purchase players in the early stages of their career and to assist in their development'. Assuming that Skuse remains our first choice defensive midfielder, and given how it is generally a bad idea to play two defensive midfielders in the same team, spending money on Diagouraga's wages and possible loan fee when our season is virtually over could be questioned. Would we not be better investing in a younger player as a permanent signing? Please build for the future ITFC. If not, why set out a plan telling fans you are going to?!

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Kesgraveblue57 added 16:33 - Jan 23 I've seen the guy play in Leeds v Derby game he worst player on the pitch
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The_Romford_Blue added 16:36 - Jan 23 Good signing The negativity of the comments so far sums up you regular news commenters Welcome to Ipswich
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cat added 16:39 - Jan 23 Worth a punt, should hopefully enhance our lightweight midfield, appears he can score as well. Good luck fella.
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Stadiumofdark added 16:40 - Jan 23 Happy with that - welcome.
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PortmanTerrorist added 16:40 - Jan 23 Sorry Toumani, we do wish you well, but if you cannot get in a fellow Championship side and want to join the train wreck that is our Club currently, then please don't be surprised if some fans think you or this deal is mad. Most, as always, will hope this works out for everyone.....but hope is all we have left. MM and ME taken everything else away including our dignity as of last week.

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Lightningboy added 16:49 - Jan 23 The next Larsen Toure......
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sadler added 16:49 - Jan 23 Relatively happy with this. Did well for Brentford in the 14/15 season. Certainly will add some power and bite. Surely this now means the beginning of the end for Jonathan Douglas at ITFC?
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RobTheMonk added 16:50 - Jan 23 Let's look at this signing logically: our midfield has been abit powderpuff with the loss of Hyam to injury, Skuse's poor form, Bru's inconsistancy, Bishop injured and Douglas being Douglas. We've been crying out for a big, strong midfield player since probably N'Daw. Also, I'll be suprised if we sign anyone substantial before summer. Mick's position in the long term seems uncertain so I can see ME not wanting to spend loads on MM players if he's going to go in summer.

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Brownie added 16:51 - Jan 23 good player & good signing. I would prefer a permanent but C'est le Vie.. Personally I would be surprised if we spend any significant money this window. Firstly because we never do & secondly because the manager has already hinted his days are ending in the summer if not before and why spend money now in those circumstances.
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WeWereZombies added 16:51 - Jan 23 Welcome Toumani D - hope you can make the positive, uplifting and powerful impact at Ipswich that another Toumani D has made in the world of jazz.
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Michael11 added 16:57 - Jan 23 Let's face it, this season is a write off. He'll do a job to help get us over the line and away from relegation places before what I expect to be a big clear out in the summer. Another plodder in midfield isn't what I think we need really but hopefully more will follow.
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Ferguson added 17:02 - Jan 23 Should help to keep us up and I don't think MM will go before we're safe. I'm glad we've got someone in to strengthen the midfield because the next run of games will define the season. COYB
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iaintaylorx added 17:09 - Jan 23 To be fair, this isn't a bad signing and much better than Douglas!
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planetblue_2011 added 17:12 - Jan 23 Welcome to ITFC Toumani, hope you play well fella. GOOD LUCK👍🏻
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Pencilpete added 17:13 - Jan 23 I'm literally so excited by this i may spontaneously combust at any second. Another holding midfielder is exactly what we are crying out for, maybe we could find a way to play him, Skuse AND Douglas in the same side and draw 0-0 in every match we play YES
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jas0999 added 17:27 - Jan 23 All the best to him and I wish him well. However, where does another loan fit into the long term strategy, and the five point plan? Do we need another defensive central midfielder? Disappointing that we haven't spent modest fees on permanent additions. No excuses, we have had plenty of time to get deals done.
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dangerous30 added 17:30 - Jan 23 He could off stayed at Leeds and just collected the wages,so I am glad you decided to come here. welcome to ITFC.
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therein61 added 17:31 - Jan 23 Welcome to the Town I wish you well and look forward to some power in our midfield instead of the powder puff Skuse and Douglas hopefully your presence will give our creative boys the chance to express themselves going forward and give the strikers some decent service! ops sorry creative and forward are not in our managers mind set.
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shakytown added 17:31 - Jan 23 Can't possibly be worse than Douggie. I hope!!!!!
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