Town have signed Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Keanan Bennetts on a season-long loan

Bennetts, 21, who operates primarily wide on the left, came through the youth system at Tottenham, where he would have been coached by Bryan Klug during his spell in their academy, but left for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer of 2018, signing a deal until June 2022.

He made what is currently his only appearance for the Bundesliga club’s first team as a final-minute sub in a 3-0 victory over VfL Wolfsburg in June. Otherwise he has played for their second XI in the Regionalliga West, making 26 starts and scoring two goals, but has suffered with one or two injury problems while with Die Fohlen.

Bennetts, who is 6ft tall, won two caps with Germany’s U15s in 2014 - he qualifies via his mother who is from Hamburg - but later switched to represent England, winning caps at U16, U17 and U19 levels alongside Andre Dozzell, Flynn Downes, Tristan Nydam and ex-Blues youth keeper Nick Hayes. He turned down the chance to play for Nigeria, who he qualifies for through his father.

Despite manager Paul Lambert's German connections, Bennetts is the first player the Blues have recruited from that market since the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder took charge at Portman Road in October 2018.

Edgware-born Bennetts played in an academy showcase game against Town for Tottenham’s U15s at Portman Road in 2015.

Borussia sporting director Max Eberl outlined how the Bundesliga view the move: “The most important thing for Keanan is getting minutes under his belt.

“For this reason, we’ve made the joint decision to loan him out to Ipswich Town in his home country of England until the end of the season.”

Bennetts was signed too late to make his debut in Saturday's game away against the MK Dons but could feature in the EFL Trophy tie with Gillingham on Tuesday.

Having turned 21 in March, the new signing's wage doesn't count towards the salary cap.

Photo: ITFC

Linkboy13 added 17:14 - Oct 2 Blimey that was quick buisuness just happened to be shopping in Town. Sounds like he's got good credentials. Has he got a knock in training yet. Best he trained on his own.
14

Portman_Pie added 17:19 - Oct 2 The deal was done so quickly today - he didn't have time to get changed out of his Oodie after waking up....
1

Northstandveteran added 17:20 - Oct 2 Well done to all involved with getting this deal done. Perhaps we really do mean business this year!
10

ArnieM added 17:20 - Oct 2 Welcome 😁👍.... I did wonder when we'd ever get a German player here . Brilliant let's see what our young gun can do
6

arc added 17:21 - Oct 2 We send Freddie out to do the lunchtime press conference and replace him by teatime. Nice ;-) Slightly odd signing on the surface–we seem to have plenty of players for the position. But if he's better than them, or adds something new, fantastic. Welcome, Keanan. Work hard and have some luck!
6

Cloddyseedbed added 17:29 - Oct 2 If he can put a good cross in Hawkins will head it in!
10

runaround added 17:37 - Oct 2 Sounds a genuinely exciting signing
11

therein61 added 17:48 - Oct 2 He seems to be an improvement on some of the guys we have been linked with, A good move Town well done.
9

Suffolkboy added 17:49 - Oct 2 This does show we've at least not stopped working and thinking about improvement and a meaningful future : out of the Blue to be a Blue !! COYB
4

silkcutblue added 17:50 - Oct 2 I had no idea Lambert played for Dortmund
4

Westy added 17:51 - Oct 2 Like it. Gives us an extra option.
3

Bluearmy_81 added 17:53 - Oct 2 Good to see. Looks more like we have some genuine ambition to get out this league, more so than we did a few weeks ago. Keep bit going and I might stop moaning 😉
5

rfretwell added 17:56 - Oct 2 ME really does mean business this season! And another young talent taken on via Brian Klugs huge experience in the game. Welcome Keanan ; pray you stay clear of injury.
7

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:57 - Oct 2 Allows an option to let Freddie play through the middle if needed I guess. Sounds promising
4

tractorboybig added 18:14 - Oct 2 proof of the pudding is in its eating, lets see
3

chopra777 added 18:17 - Oct 2 Wunderbar Willkommen in Ipswich Town. Bringen sie uns die fahig keiten aus der deutschen Liga und erzielen sie tore.
2

therein61 added 18:30 - Oct 2 Re your comment "arc" with our injuries up front then with Keanan on the left Freddie would benefit from playing beside Hawkins and get goals.
4

Carberry added 18:31 - Oct 2 At 10.00 this morning we read PR Paul is playing down any incoming forwards - 'its' financial'. At 5.00pm we hear we have a fresh face on the books. Good to have a glowing endorsement of the manufactured messages we have all got used to. Well done Brian Klug who obviously knew about the boy. Let's hope he's decent and avoids the injury jinx.
8

Edmundo added 18:36 - Oct 2 Clearly cover for injuries, and an extra body for the 3 up front, so we have cover across the front 3: good work! COYB
4

DebsyAngel added 18:40 - Oct 2 Welcome to our club, Keanan :D Best of luck - sounds like a decent player!
2

TimmyH added 19:01 - Oct 2 So much for the 'Lambert plays down chances of signing forward to replace Norwood' of yesterday!...sounds like good news. Best of luck Keanan whilst here.
4

runningout added 19:14 - Oct 2 Some of you make me wonder!!
1

Razor added 19:27 - Oct 2 This is of course great news and surely no one can moan or complain at this. Please wrap him in cotton wool and dont let him train----just fitness and running then we may have a chance of keeping him fit!!
1

TimmyH added 19:55 - Oct 2 Lets just hope it's not a case of Keanan 'Gordon' Bennetts :)
0

dangerous30 added 20:51 - Oct 2 Welcome and good luck for the season 😀
2

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