Town have released their squad numbers for the 2021/22 campaign with sponsor Ed Sheeran handed the number 17 shirt.

“This is bonkers really, isn’t it!” Sheeran, who was born on 17th February 1991 and will also appear in the official photoshoot, told the club site. “When Ipswich told me I thought they were joking but I love the idea.

“I think this is going be a great season and I’m honoured to be a part of it. I just hope this squad number is only ceremonial because I want to see us promoted and that’s not going to happen if I’m playing!”

Blues CEO Mark Ashton added: “Having Ed involved is fantastic for the football club. We saw pictures of him wearing the 17 shirt when he was at the club to perform his Euro 2020 TikTok concert so [manager] Paul [Cook] and I spoke about it and we agreed to offer Ed the chance of that squad number.

“It’s our way of thanking him for his support and we look forward to welcoming him to Portman Road this season.”

Cook said: “Isn’t it great for the Club that we have got someone of Ed’s stature supporting his local team.

“Hopefully he’s going to be in the official team group as well. The players will love that and if we can show on the pitch the creativity that Ed shows with his music, we will do OK this season!”

Of the summer’s new signings, Matt Penney is number three, Rekeem Harper four, George Edmundson five, Wes Burns seven, Lee Evans eight, Joe Pigott nine, Scott Fraser 11, Louie Barry 12, Macauley Bonne 18 and Conor Chaplin 21.

Kayden Jackson, number nine for the last three years, has been relegated to 19, while outcast trio Flynn Downes, Myles Kenlock and Brett McGavin have not been given numbers.

Young midfielder Cameron Humphreys has been handed the number 30 shirt having impressed in pre-season.

1 Tomas Holy
3 Matt Penney
4 Rekeem Harper
5 George Edmundson
6 Luke Woolfenden
7 Wes Burns
8 Lee Evans
9 Joe Pigott
10 James Norwood
11 Scott Fraser
12 Louie Barry
14 Armando Dobra
15 Corrie Ndaba
16 Idris El Mizouni
17 Ed Sheeran
18 Macauley Bonne
19 Kayden Jackson
20 Jon Nolan
21 Conor Chaplin
22 Toto Nsiala
24 Kane Vincent-Young
30 Cameron Humphreys
31 Vaclav Hladky
44 Janoi Donacien

Photo: ITFC

brendenward35 added 19:05 - Aug 6 So does that mean I can get shirt with 17 sheeran on?
2

Blue_Moses added 19:14 - Aug 6 Istanblue - I believe you have to be registered as a player to get assigned a squad number so technically he could make an appearance
0

blues1 added 19:22 - Aug 6 Blue Moses. I dont think you do have to be registered to get a squad number. Have been fans at some clubs given a squad number in the past.
0

dirtydingusmagee added 19:32 - Aug 6 could he be the captain PC was talking about ?
1

ringwoodblue added 20:43 - Aug 6 Not sure of his footballing abilities but he can't be any worse than the shower of sh1te that wore an Ipswich shirt last season
1

Monkey_Blue added 21:07 - Aug 6 Given I've spent my life in advertising and marketing I have to say this is a great commercial move. Nice reward for him shoving some cash in as well.
3

Blue_Again added 21:10 - Aug 6 He isn't a player, how completely dumb
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Blue_Again added 21:12 - Aug 6 How silly
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ringwoodblue added 21:36 - Aug 6 Blue_again - You are entitled to your opinion but imho this is all part of a very clever master plan to make Ed an integral part of the club with the aim of attracting a new fanbase both here in the UK and abroad.
3

RegencyBlue added 21:38 - Aug 6 Marketing genius!
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Marcus added 22:14 - Aug 6 It's about selling shirts. Plenty of non-football fans will want the Sheeran 17 shirt. Insurance reasons could make it complicated for him to enter the pitch for a minute, ignoring that it's a great idea! The whole profile of the club has gone from the most miserable club languishing in the lower divisions to possibly the most optimistic club outside the Premier League. That's a lot of progress without actually seeing any success on the field... yet!

0

BeattiesBackPocket added 00:19 - Aug 7 It's a great idea and bit of fun this has probably now not only given us even more exposure but also added a few thousand plus fans to our club when he tours especially
1

luckydiddy added 01:21 - Aug 7 for the naysayers .... it's currently on the top of the stories on the BBC news website. You can't buy that kind of publicity ... clever marketing move!
3

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