League of Ireland Limerick have confirmed that right-back Barry Cotter has joined the Blues for an undisclosed fee understood to be in the region of £70,000. On Friday, TWTD was first to reveal that the 19-year-old was set to join Town.

Cotter, who recently spent time on trial at Playford Road, flew over from Ireland earlier today to undergo a medical and complete the formalities relating to his move.

The three-times-capped Republic of Ireland U19 international has agreed a deal until the summer of 2021, which is also likely to include the usual option for a further season.

“I can’t wait to get going now. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to learn here,” Cotter told iFollow Ipswich.

“I know [Blues striker] Aaron [Drinan] from growing up and playing U19s football and I know some of the other boys here as well which will help me settle in.

🎥 | New recruit Barry Cotter spoke with iFollow Ipswich after completing his move to Portman Road today #itfc pic.twitter.com/v70IBRrbI7– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 31, 2018

“It’s a big step up for me but I’m confident it’s one I can make. I’ve not set myself too many goals yet. I’d like to break into the first-team obviously but for now, I just want to get my head down and work hard and show people what I can do.

“With the manager and coaching staff here I feel I can really improve as a player and that’s my main aim for now.”

COTTER: #LimerickFC can confirm that defender Barry Cotter has joined English Championship club Ipswich Town, for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old made a breakthrough to the first team during 2017 where he made 11 league appearances. pic.twitter.com/otRahQt0w5– Limerick FC (@LimerickFCie) January 31, 2018

Cotter joined Limerick in July 2015, and we thank Barry for his commitment and hard work in his two-and-a-half years at the club. We congratulate him on his progress during that period and wish him all the best at Ipswich.– Limerick FC (@LimerickFCie) January 31, 2018

Cotter, who can also play in midfield and at centre-half, made nine League of Ireland Premier Division starts and two sub appearances for Limerick during the 2017 Irish season, his first-team breakthrough campaign.

Three years ago, when joining Limerick, Cotter went viral across the globe due to his resemblance to Brazilian star Neymar.

Limerick FC gain global attention for signing of Neymar lookalike Barry Cotter #TransferNews http://t.co/H1OKeM2kL9 pic.twitter.com/TVfVO07uJH– Irish Post Sport (@IrishPostSport) August 28, 2015

Photo: ITFC

Ipswich_Crazy added 20:11 - Jan 31 Welcome Cotter! Good luck!
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jas0999 added 20:12 - Jan 31 Wish him all the best!
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Warkys_Tash added 20:20 - Jan 31 Good to see Town still looking to pick up young talent.
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BlueArrow added 20:20 - Jan 31 Welcome Barry good luck to you in a Towen shirt
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henryblue added 20:23 - Jan 31 Welcome Barry! Enjoy your loan and subsequent transfer to Aldershot in 12 months time.
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NSL added 20:23 - Jan 31 Thought we'd signed Neymar for a minute
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liam88 added 20:36 - Jan 31 Good luck buh!
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Marcus added 20:40 - Jan 31 Yay, we've signed Neymar!
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Currie10 added 20:47 - Jan 31 Little confused by this. We have Spence Emmanuel is doing well at Rotherham Does this suggest Josh WON'T get a go next term or am I looking too much into it? Good luck anyway! They said Connolly was a full back - done alright CM.
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Spanishblueblood added 20:53 - Jan 31 Westy, I thought Josh was struggling at Rotherham, i may have misheard tho!
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Slambo added 21:56 - Jan 31 Well, Seamus Coleman was plucked from the Irish leagues for a similar amount and he did alright...
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Mark added 23:00 - Jan 31 Great, I always like it when we sign young players who have the chance to develop and make it at ITFC. Sadly so many of the Irish lads we have signed have not been able to do so, bit let's hope Cotter is an exception. We do need a right-back, as Spence has not really made the position his own, Iorfa is only here on loan, and it sounds like Emmanuel is struggling somewhat at Rotherham.

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norfolkbluey added 23:18 - Jan 31 Another boyo from the emerald isle. Lets hope he fills the the right back position as well as Burley did all those years ago. Good luck.
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Skip73 added 23:55 - Jan 31 Why do people still go on about Emmanuel? He's a dreadful player, he was awful when he played last season which is why Spence was brought in. He can't even get in Rotherhams team. I'm sure this boy is better too. Good Luck and Welcome Barry.
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OwainG1992 added 00:07 - Feb 1 Emmanuel is not exactly pulling up trees at Roth let's be honest. Happy for us to take a punt on this lad. Getting some talented young lads in the club for when we 'hopefully' get a new manager in the summer can only be good news!
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Lightningboy added 10:27 - Feb 1 Happy to see us picking up young players like this for relatively small fees - as long as we actually give them a chance in the first team. The money being spent in the prem is disgusting - personally happy we're not part of it,just want to see us playing good football in the championship and challenging near the top - hopefully the prem (& sky) will implode on themselves before we get back into it...if ever.

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Rensham added 11:58 - Feb 1 Another youngster enters the revolving door of Portman Road
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runaround added 13:00 - Feb 1 Welcome Barry. Hope you have a successful time at ITFC or more successful than some of our recent league of Ireland youngsters have been
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happybeingblue added 17:32 - Feb 1 welcome to ITFC Barry and Good luck i hope you settle in quickly
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brendanh added 13:07 - Feb 5 Exactly the kind of signing we should be making. Not aging journeymen loanee castoffs from other Championship clubs.
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