Town have confirmed the signing of former loanee George Hirst on a four-year deal from Leicester City for a fee we understand to be around £1.5 million initially.

The news comes as little surprise with Hirst having been spotted in Suffolk over the last couple of days but with the deal finally confirmed this morning after some routine scan results were received.

Following a lengthy chase last summer, Hirst eventually joined the Blues on loan in January and went on to play a significant part as Town won promotion from League One.

The 24-year-old made 16 starts and seven sub appearances, scoring seven times. The frontman quickly became a fans’ favourite and made no secret of how much he had enjoyed his time at Portman Road and that he wanted to return on a permanent basis.

We understand the Blues will pay the Foxes close to £1.5 million with further cash based on the frontman’s performances in the Championship and then, should the Blues win promotion, in the Premier League, potentially taking it to around double the initial figure.

“Ipswich has felt like home for the last six months and that’s a big part of why I wanted to come back here so much,” Hirst told the club site.

“The last few months of last season were massive for me, doing what we did as a team, and that was something I wanted to carry on being part of for sure.

“The reception I got from the fans, players and staff here was brilliant, so I’m delighted to be back here and I’m looking forward to the challenge of the Championship.

“The manager improved my game massively and he’s probably the best I’ve worked with, both him and his staff, and it helped my development no end. Once you have got that taste you don’t want to go back. He has been absolutely amazing for me — long may it continue.”

Town’s chief operating officer Luke Werhun added: "We’re delighted George has signed for the club on a permanent basis. It’s a deal we’ve been working on for a long time and I’m so pleased it’s finally over the line.

“George made a significant contribution during the second half of last season, scoring some very important goals to help us win promotion to the Championship. We’re excited to see him continue his development at the club.”

Manager Kieran McKenna continued: “We’re delighted to have George with us permanently.

“He is at a good age and hopefully has his best years ahead of him. He has the potential to improve and the willingness to learn and show he can be a really good forward at the next level.

“We think this is the right team for him to do that in and he thinks the same, so that makes for a really good move for all parties.”

Hirst won’t travel to join up with the squad at their Austria training camp but will begin training with his teammates next week on their return. His first appearance in the new Town shirt is likely to be at Preston next Wednesday.

Former England U17, U18, U19 and U20 international Hirst spent the first half of last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers having signed a new contract at Leicester which was due to run until the summer of 2025, but that move was cut short after he made only three starts and eight sub appearances without scoring.

Previously Hirst had spent 2021/22 on loan at Portsmouth, netting 15 goals in 32 starts and 14 sub appearances, all from November onwards.

The son of former Sheffield Wednesday and England frontman David, Hirst started his career with the Owls before joining Belgian second division side OH Leuven in June 2018, then a year later moved on to Leicester.

For the Foxes, the 6ft 3in tall frontman, who played alongside Andre Dozzell, Flynn Downes, Tristan Nydam and Nick Hayes with young England sides, made only two sub appearances, spending time on loan at Rotherham in 2020/21 when failing to score in four starts and 28 appearances from the bench, prior to his spell at Pompey.

Hirst is Town’s third signing of the summer and the second following a lengthy pursuit, midfielder Jack Taylor having joined from Peterborough United last month.

Photo: Matchday Images

Naylorsrightboot added 12:01 - Jul 13 Great signing. Important part the jigsaw, good price too !! Think we still need a centre half, a right sided player to challenge Burns and probably one more striker, then we are looking pretty good to go.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:01 - Jul 13 Exciting! In fact I don't think he's even the finished article yet which makes it all the better. I think the Team McKenna pull factor was part of this. That goal at Barnsley in April was Kane-like for me and I think he'll step up to Championship level with us more with us than he would have at Leicester, and he knows it.
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Lukeybluey added 12:06 - Jul 13 That's awesome! Smash em! Georgie me boy!
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OldClactonBlue added 12:14 - Jul 13 Get in. Brilliant to get the confirmation.
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Nomore4 added 12:16 - Jul 13 Great signing imo. However still 3 quality players short to complement the squad. 3 average players out. 3 quality players in. Is all that's now required.
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grumpyoldman added 12:16 - Jul 13 And as far as I can see none of the rumour sites have mentioned this at all. Ellis Simms did we actually make an offer? The rumours help pass the time but I only believe it's happening when confirmed.
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Len_Brennan added 12:17 - Jul 13 There might be other 'fox in the box' type strikers that will score more individual goals in a season than George Hirst, but for our team, the way we play & for unlocking the freescoring potential of the players around & behind the #9 - including Jack Taylor now - there is no other centre forward being spoken of for Championship clubs, that would fit better for us right now. I would imagine we will still be in for another, different style, striker to increase our options, but this was the one I was hoping for most; great age, great attitude, great work ethic plus plenty of intelligence & natural ability. Well done to the club for getting the deal done.

8

JPR77 added 12:21 - Jul 13 Love that this was kept relatively quiet and Love the reaction on here! Fantastic news. Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy!
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:22 - Jul 13 another good move completed by Ashton and co .! wouldnt say he is a prolific scorer, BUT certainly works hard and proved to be valuable up front in our quest for promotion. Welcome back George. Hope you have another good season this term .
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Gforce added 12:24 - Jul 13 When compared with what Coventry paid for Simms,a rumoured 5 million,we've got an absolute bargain. Definitely still need another quality striker,centre back and right wing back,then it's championship here we come. Watch out you budgies.
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Powrigan added 12:27 - Jul 13 decent player for a generous price :)
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BobbyBell added 12:27 - Jul 13 Brilliant. Town do their business quietly and efficiently over time with much negotiating. I'm sure that there is still at least one more big addition to come and it could well be a total surprise. The coaching team here is top class and players know it. Those who want to improve will want to come here. The style of football that we play is also a big draw for players.

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dirtydingusmagee added 12:38 - Jul 13 its good that he is back after the loan spell, he WANTED to be at ITFC. plus obviously he fits straight in with KM,S plans and his fellow team mates . Happy days .
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blues1 added 12:42 - Jul 13 Mick Mills tash. We don't need another midfielder. How many doxyou think we need. If luongo or morsey get injured/ suspended, we have Evans, ball, Taylor, humphries, all who can play there.
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pennblue added 12:48 - Jul 13 I'm calling it now, George will be our first £50m+ valued player.
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planetblue_2011 added 12:51 - Jul 13 Wooohooo get in COYB💙
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Broadbent23 added 12:52 - Jul 13 Fantastic news. Makes a rainy day so much better. All we need is a CH and we can push on, unless we have more Surprises. Hirst is a gem in the making.
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Rimsy added 12:58 - Jul 13 Superb. He can hit the ground running, no worries with settling in. Looks a bit of a bargain looking at other signings in the championship.
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1Warky added 12:59 - Jul 13 Welcome Home George! Great news. Well done everyone involved.
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dubblue added 13:03 - Jul 13 Great news and reported fee looks a bargain, well done all!
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Chris_Knights added 13:21 - Jul 13 Brilliant. Just brilliant . Well done to all concerned in bringing him to Portman Road
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johnwarksshorts added 13:23 - Jul 13 Fantastic news. All the peices are coming together nicely, I believe we'll do very well in Championship.
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BlueBlueBlood added 13:33 - Jul 13 Great signing to get done. The kid's attitude and work ethic are clear for all to see and he fits perfectly into the current group as we saw last season. I can picture very clearly in my mind a Barnsley esque goal at Carrot Road and GH shushing the scummers with that cheeky grin on his face. Welcome back and good luck George.
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Josh271092 added 13:48 - Jul 13 Feels great that we've got this over the line! Brings a completely different dimension to our play, allowing us to go more direct against the better sides, or when plan A isn't working.
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Bert added 14:30 - Jul 13 Surprised that Leicester did not want to hang onto him but sooooo pleased that he wanted to come back to us. A good negotiation so well done ITFC.
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