Town have confirmed the signing of free agent left-back Greg Leigh on a two-year deal following his Morecambe exit.

Leigh, the Blues’ third signing of the summer, left the Shrimps at the end of 2021/22 having spent one year at the Mazuma Stadium, making 38 starts and three sub appearances, scoring twice.

“It’s a massive step for me and I’m really excited,” Leigh told iFollow Ipswich. “I’m a physical player with speed and agility, who is also good in the air.

“I’m comfortable on the ball, and I’ll hopefully be able to show that I can do both sides of the game, going forward as well as defensively.”

Blues boss Kieran McKenna added: “We’re delighted to have Greg on board. He has lots of good physical attributes which will add to the squad.

“He comes with good pedigree, having been through the academy at Manchester City as well as playing for England U19 and at senior international level with Jamaica.

“We’ve got three through the door fairly early on which is great, and I’m pleased with the business we’ve done so far.

“I’m also delighted that we’ve secured the futures of some of our senior players as well as some of the younger players who will continue to develop over the coming years in and around the squad.”

Sale-born Leigh, who can also operate on the right and in wide midfield, came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and spent a spell on loan at Crewe during his time as a Citizen.

Having been unable to break into the first team at City, Leigh moved on to Bradford on a free transfer in the summer of 2015. After featuring infrequently, the 5ft 11in tall full-back joined Bury the following summer.

Capped six times by England at U19 level before later changing his allegiance to Jamaica with whom he has won two full caps, Leigh spent two years with the Shakers before moving to Dutch side NAC Breda in June 2018.

A year later he joined Aberdeen on loan for the 2019/20 season, then made that switch permanent the following summer after coming close to joining Rotherham. Having suffered a serious hamstring injury, he was released at the end of 2020/21 when he signed for Morecambe.

That the Blues are adding to their left-back/left wing-back options this summer is little surprise and Leigh may not be the only addition before the campaign gets under way.

The first-team squad was back at Playford Road today for the start of pre-season training.

Photo: ITFC

Bert added 23:01 - Jun 20 Happy to accept our Manager's assessment unlike some on here. Nobody should write off freebies until they have seen them play. Perhaps new funds are being kept for a striker or two where demand outstrips supply.
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AlanG296 added 23:26 - Jun 20 No doubt the Manager and the Recruitment team have used all their vast experience and knowledge of what is needed to get promotion from this level
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OliveR16 added 23:35 - Jun 20 I think KMcK has quickly worked out what League 1 requires.
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Unhinged_dynamo added 06:44 - Jun 21 Like a lot of people don't know much about him, but a quick read of morecambes Forum found this, I think he'll be fine here and not as back up potentially http://shrimpsvoices.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=27205&sid=109c395e5d9bed3
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Dissboyitfc added 07:43 - Jun 21 Last close season we were seeing all these players come in, signings like piggot who i was really enthusiastic about, and signings like Burns who i wasnt so enthusiastic about, we all know how their first seasons with us went! My point is, lets just wait and see how the signings work out! Some of the experts on here make me smile, whilst i would defend everyones right to an opinion, a negative opinion about a player who most of us know very little about and to judge his ability because he is a free signing is laughable. McKenna is the man in charge and i trust him!

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leftie1972 added 08:01 - Jun 21 Welcome to ITFC Greg.
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tractorboybig added 09:14 - Jun 21 how can people say he is a great signing? released by morecambe
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budgieplucker added 09:18 - Jun 21 The fact that he can and has played right wingback could be a bonus for when we lose Wes for 5 weeks in the winter for his excursion in Qatar. Given KVY's injury record we may need another player who can play left wing back as well but I think Cameron Humphreys could well do this role comfortably. Edwards will be under the microscope as well because supposedly the coaching team were working with him before injury last season to adopt this role. Harper and Edwards who both showed signs of being potentially exciting young signings have failed to deliver end products - so some big calls for Kieron as to whether he can turn these players around or whether the have to be shipped out permanently or for loan.

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algarvefan added 09:26 - Jun 21 Every player has a club that's right for them, Greg has obviously had one or two bad fits, if he fits our system, which I suggest he does, then I'm sure he will do well. I defend anyones right to an opinion, but some need to give players a chance before judgement day!! A couple more additions before the season starts please especially another striker,
1

blues1 added 09:31 - Jun 21 Jas0999 The usdudzeith Thompson was that he is snout and out left back, but was being asked to play as a wing back. If we'd give been looking for a left back, pure and simple, I'd have taken him back here. But bcsezwexusexwing backs, then would be the right decision not to sign him imo.
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blues1 added 09:35 - Jun 21 *issue
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blues1 added 09:37 - Jun 21 Budgieplucker. Would love to know how you believe that humphries, a central midfielder, could cover the wing back role?
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blues1 added 09:46 - Jun 21 Blueboy1981. So ur back with ur constant negativity. No, no1 knows much about him. But then who knew anything about cresswell, or even more so, Mings before they signed? So instead of just writing him off before he kicked a ball, why not just give the guy a chance. Can only assume you still think b cse we are itfc we should be signing pl players. Well, we can't, can we? Not with the cap on the salaries that's in place in this lge. I dont know much about this guy, but he sounds exactly the type of player that mckenna stated, he wants to sign, at the last fans forum. Physically strong, athletic and pacy. That's the profile of the players he wants to sign. So why not just get behind the club instead of constantly criticising every thing they do.

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foreverchurchmans added 09:54 - Jun 21 As a season ticket holder at Aberdeen (yes, really) I've seen a lot of Greg Leigh & would rate him as a quick & agile left back, particularly strong going forward, but also with a great ability to jump high & win his fair share of headers. Dom Ball also a good addition. So pleased to see a growing ex-Aberdeen contingent .... after all, Aluko & Burns have done OK since arriving !!

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planetblue_2011 added 10:03 - Jun 21 This could be a great signing a bit hit or miss but I'm sure McKenna will get the best out of him like he has the rest of the players. He obviously sees something good in him to sign him⚽️ Welcome aboard Gregg👍
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Razor added 10:14 - Jun 21 I RECKON there must be a couple of big signings in the offing and we do have money to spend----way above budget on crowds last season and loads of season ticket sales-----just make it Scott Twine please and that will be the gam -e changer.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 10:44 - Jun 21 Excellent stuff getting deals done early is great. Now please invest in a striker who will hit 20 plus goals 🙏
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 11:20 - Jun 21 K Mk knows the attributes he wants his players to have, the foremost is an ability to be improved by coaching, that coupled with the pace and strength that has been missing from the squad. I think he will polish these signings into something special.
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Nobbysnuts added 14:25 - Jun 21 I'm Sorry but Morecombe rejects don't cut it for me......we're be sniffing round Colchester utd next to see what they've thrown out...
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Runner added 17:23 - Jun 21 It us all about building and managing a squad of players with a style of football that will win games. These is so many different ways to do that with so many different components that means any & all outcomes are possible. We will all have to wait for those outcomes because no one had any idea yet how it will go. As supporters we must support, if you are not willing to do that I think you are supporting the wrong team.

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ringwoodblue added 18:24 - Jun 21 Cheer up Nobby, the season hasn't even started yet. Judge the lad on how he plays for us and not where he's come from.
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Dissboyitfc added 20:56 - Jun 21 sorry Nobbynuts i marked you up by mistake, wanted to give you a mark down, ridiculous comment!
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