Town have confirmed the signing of midfielder Rekeem Harper on a three-year deal, with the club having an option for a further season, from West Brom, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had all but signed the 21-year-old a fortnight ago.

The fee is officially undisclosed but is in the region of £500,000 with the Baggies understood to be due further cash which could take the deal up to a £1 million via top-up clauses.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be here,” Harper told iFollow Ipswich. “I feel like it’s a perfect opportunity for me to come and settle in an environment and help a team that shares the same goal as me - getting to the top.

“This move shows my motivation and I can't wait to get started with the group.”

Boss Paul Cook added: “In Rekeem, we have a really good lad and someone who believes in everything we have spoken about.

“He knows the challenge that lies ahead and I am thrilled that he has chosen to join us.”

Blues CEO Mark Ashton said: "We're delighted to bring in a player of Rekeem's quality. We've been working on this deal for the past few weeks and we're delighted to get it across the line.”

Harper came through the ranks at the Hawthorns having joined the club as a 12-year-old.

He was handed his Premier League debut in August 2017 aged only 17 when he became only the second player born in the 2000s to play in the top flight.

The Birmingham-born schemer has gone on to make 17 senior starts - seven in the league - and 14 sub appearances for the Baggies, scoring twice.

Harper, who is 6ft 2in tall, spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers in 2017/18 and ended last season at Birmingham City.

The former England U17 and U19 international becomes the Blues’ third addition of the summer following the recruitment of Wes Burns from Fleetwood and Lee Evans from Wigan.

Nineteen contracted professionals have left the club since the end of the season plus the four remaining loanees.

Photo: ITFC

shakytown added 23:22 - Jun 25 Grow up your own. Get over it junior. Just another loser gone from the books and good riddance.
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Mariner1974 added 00:23 - Jun 26 Looks nice and solid, with quick feet and not about to get pushed off the ball by the looks of it. Let's hope he proves to be a great player for us. Would love some steel in the centre of the park, and for us to dominate other teams in that department
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Monkey_Blue added 01:13 - Jun 26 Cook really has had his teeth done…. Reminds me of that episode of friends where Ross has his bleached. Good signing as is burns. Still not convinced of the Dresden style carpet bombing of the squad to put it mildly.
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Dog added 01:47 - Jun 26 3 signings in 3 weeks. Not great but will extend deadine to 3 july. That way all the players we are told will be signed by everyone on here will be in place. As for harper, i wish him well. I certainly do not believe the comments about Lankester attitude and i do not believe the.midlands press comments about your attitude. Get your head down and believe in the project. 5 easy games for you at start of season.

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dirtydingusmagee added 06:38 - Jun 26 good , hopefully others will soon follow .
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shakytown added 08:16 - Jun 26 Plenty more to come Dingus as we are doing everything properly now behind the scenes and still more deadwood to leave as well.
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Skip73 added 09:20 - Jun 26 Grow our own, Lankester is Sh1t, thats why he's ended up at Cambridge. He couldn't even hold down a place in last seasons awful side, when he was occasionally fit.
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Dissboyitfc added 09:38 - Jun 26 Seems to me there are others who dont seem to post on good news stories, i wonder why?
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Dissboyitfc added 09:39 - Jun 26 I know we are all battle worn and have had so many false dawns but can we get behind the team until there is a reason to be negative!
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midastouch added 10:17 - Jun 26 Good luck to the lad. Looking forward to seeing him play. It's very nice to sign a player in their early 20s rather than in their early 30s!
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