Central defender Corrie Ndaba has completed his move to Scottish Championship Ayr United on loan until the end of the season.

News that the Blues were in discussions with the Honest Men regarding a loan move for the 21-year-old emerged earlier in the week.

Ayr manager Mark Kerr, who came close to joining the Blues during George Burley’s time as Town boss, told his club’s official website: “I have been down and watched Corrie live and also we have watched plenty of footage of him.

“We also got excellent feedback from the staff at Ipswich and every report on him is very positive.

“With the games coming thick and fast between now and the end of the season we need to make sure we have good defensive options. Corrie is a big, strong, athletic defender who is quick and good on the ball.”

Ndaba came close to joining the Honest Men in January last year having spent time training at Somerset Park, however, was unable to complete the loan switch due to FIFA’s three-club rule which states that players can only be registered with a maximum of three teams in a season.

The Republic of Ireland U21 cap had already spent time on loan at Hemel Hempstead and Chelmsford City during 2019/20.

Academy product Ndaba has made three Papa John’s Trophy starts and one Carabao Cup sub appearance for Town but is still to make his league debut.

A loan move had been expected in the summer but fitness concerns among the club's senior central defenders meant he stayed at Portman Road.

However, speaking November, Ndaba, who can also play at left-back, said he was open to a spell out but with his ultimate goal securing a regular spot in the Town first team.

“I want to play at the best level I can [if I do go out on loan], but I also want to play at the right club for me. If a loan is a possibility, I’ll speak to the gaffer and see what he thinks,” he said.

“But first and foremost I want to play for Ipswich, I’ve been here since I was 15 and that’s my goal. Hopefully that can happen soon.”

Ayr has been a regular destination for young Town players looking to gain experience over the last year.

Striker Aaron Drinan made nine appearances and scored two goals in a loan spell in the second half of last season, while midfielder Brett McGavin spent time training with their squad last January before returning to Town.

Elsewhere, controversial former Wales striker Ched Evans, who was linked with the Blues at the weekend, has completed a loan move to Preston from Fleetwood.

Photo: Matchday Images

terryf added 14:26 - Jan 7 Well he's left footed, comfortable playing out from the back, has a good turn of speed, so why the hell is Lambert not giving him a chance, particularly as all the reports indicated he had a good pre-season??
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rickw added 15:04 - Jan 7 Lets hope he can do great there and get the experience Lambert seems certain he needs before he can start with us
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Saxonblue74 added 17:20 - Jan 7 We have to trust the judgement of senior staff at the club. We all like to think we're top managers after a couple of goes at fifa on the playstation! I hope he gets a good run and develops the skills and gains the experience he needs. Certainly sounds committed to the club.
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Cloddyseedbed added 18:29 - Jan 7 Lets hope he gets games, games, games and is ready to feature next season. I have always been impressed whenever he has played.
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timkatieadamitfc added 21:58 - Jan 7 Doesn't matter how well he plays he won't get game time here as Lambert has his favourites who play regardless of how bad they play week in week out, shame as most people me included rate him and he's looked a player every time he's managed to get a chance. Personally I would love to see us build on a young defence young/woolfenden/ndaba + l/b and give them chance to gel with a good run of games together, can't do any worse than current defence

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harlingblue added 04:31 - Jan 8 Good luck to Corrie, he looks a good centre back and comfortable on the ball. Game time is what he needs at a decent level. Let's hope that he gets it at Ayr, and comes back to claim a place in a younger, more dynamic Ipswich Town side.
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