Town have signed free agent former Tottenham, Brentford, Fulham and West Brom keeper David Button on a one-year deal and also to work mentoring the club’s young glovesmen.

The 36-year-old, the Blues’ first signing of the summer, left the Royals after two seasons this summer and appears to have effectively replaced assistant goalkeeper-coach David Martin, who left the club last month, although while also registered to play.

“I’m delighted to join the club,” Button said. “I’ve watched the journey from afar over the last few years and to now have the chance to join that process is really exciting.

“To have the opportunity to work with people of the calibre we have here at Ipswich is going to be a great learning curve for me, with some new elements to my role which I’m really looking forward to. 

“I have played with both Palms [Alex Palmer, at West Brom] and Christian [Walton, at Brighton] before and I’m now looking forward to getting started and getting to know the rest of my teammates.”

Rene Gilmartin, Town’s head of goalkeeping, said: “We’re really pleased to have David join us.

“He is an accomplished goalkeeper with real experience in the game, having played much of his career in the Premier League and Championship, so we feel he will be an excellent addition to our group.

“Bringing in someone with David’s character and professionalism can only be of benefit to the club, the team and the coaches and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”

Stevenage-born Button was at his hometown club as a schoolboy before a spell at the Spurs academy at the same time as Town manager Kieran McKenna, although is three years younger, and spent time on loan with Grays Athletic (twice), Rochdale, AFC Bournemouth, Luton, Dagenham & Redbridge, Crewe Alexandra (twice), Shrewsbury, Plymouth, Leyton Orient, Doncaster and Barnsley while at White Hart Lane.

The 6ft 3in tall keeper left Tottenham having made one sub appearance in the League Cup and joined Charlton Athletic for in 2013, before Brentford, where he made 141 appearances in three season, prior to a spell at Fulham following a £2 million move.

After 61 games for the Cottagers, Button, who won caps with England at U16, U17, U19 and U20 levels, moved on to Brighton for £4 million but made only 11 appearances for the Seagulls in two years before joining West Brom in 2020, playing 31 games.

In 2023 he joined Reading and made 48 starts and one sub appearance for the Royals before departing in the summer.

Town look certain to send Cieran Slicker out on loan this summer, while it appears likely Aro Muric will also move out on loan, while Christian Walton could look for a club where he will play more regularly.

Photo: ITFC

boroughblue added 16:21 - Jul 4 Smart I think overall. Will be an important 3rd choice to let Slicker go on loan and adds that experienced mentoring role to the keepers. Loads moaning on twitter but I like it, almost Aluko like but for the keepers.
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jas0999 added 16:25 - Jul 4 Great idea. Slicker needs a loan and still expect one of the other keepers to depart.
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blues1 added 16:33 - Jul 4 Makes sense. Unlikely to ever play i suspect, but he's there as cover in an emergency. Suspect either Muric or Walton may leave. Tho this basically leaves us exactly where we were last season with David Martin doing that exact role.
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Tampa_Florida_Blue added 16:48 - Jul 4 Having read the article I feel this is a good signing for us. We have so many good young keepers on our books who so need loans for experience and someone willing to coach them to. Let’s be honest the moaners on other sites would moan if we signed a 27yo Messi. I like this signing for cover and coaching
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Flight_of_Shefki added 16:51 - Jul 4 Smart business I guess. Yeah, a positive start.
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marinermyhero added 16:55 - Jul 4 The only way murik leave is terminating his contract i can't see anyone want to buy him
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blues1 added 17:41 - Jul 4 Marinemyhero just leave it alone with the cinstsnt slagging off of Muric. Yes, he made a few big errors last season. But he also made a helluva lot of excellent saves. Was equal 4th in the pl for saves made when he got his injury and was left out. Is also number1 for his country. So clearly is a good keeper. For whatever reason, it didn't work out for him last season, it happens. But to suggest no1 would want him is ridiculous.

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dirtydingusmagee added 17:43 - Jul 4 Good signing for the purpose.
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Monkey_Blue added 18:19 - Jul 4 I’m usually a little more patient than this but, I’m a bit annoyed a third choice keeper is all we’ve managed so far.
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cymroglas added 19:38 - Jul 4 Welcome to Portman Road Mr Button! Sure he will be a decent back up for Palmer or Walton. Just seen his wiki page. Very experienced but more clubs than Jack Nicklaus!
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blues1 added 19:53 - Jul 4 Monkeyblue. If ud read the story, ud know hes been signed as a replacement for Dave Martin. So here primarily to coach the young keepers. Only registered as a player, in case of emergencies. As Martin was. As for other signings. We only really need 3 or 4, so,there's no rush to get them in. . Easy enough to integrate just a few players into the squad. Of course we'd all like to see more coming in soon, but theres really no panic

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armchaircritic59 added 19:54 - Jul 4 Yes Monkey Blue, not exactly the " statement of intent " marquee signing I was expecting first up, but a sound and sensible one, non the less. So welcome DB, and if you can shake up our goalkeeping department, you'll be a very good freebie indeed. As for the signings that will actually enter the field of play, it's been quieter than a library in a monastery! I can understand there may be reasons for this, which I guess many can work out for themselves, but things need to get moving, and very soon!

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darkhorse28 added 20:03 - Jul 4 @blues1 he’s VERY well laid, way above his ability. I don’t think the point made is if he can be a professional GK, it’s that he’s very poor, clearly not at the level he’s paid at, and might not even be championship quality. I don’t know where Kosovo GK’s rank in the pantheon of elite football, but it’s obviously relatively low. The list if players, that don’t play, but stay at clubs to take their salary, is a very long one…, he won’t be leaving. The only hope is that he a huge physical specimen and a decent shot stopper, so maybe a club abroad takes a punt, though can’t see many there that can afford him either. Not his fault though…, poor talent ID and really poor contracts handed out most of the summer. We’ll have his liability around for a few years yet.., even if he leaves, we’ll have some of the contract to pay, he’s that poor. And he is poor, he’s so far off, worse than our League One keepers by a distance. The criticism sits with the manager and Ashton, as it does with all signings, as does the credit where it’s due. Constructive criticism, you seem to take it personally, like it’s an attack on you. You need to separate your ego, and the club. Indexing your self esteem to Ashton won’t end well for you.

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Cadiar added 22:37 - Jul 4 Darkhorse28, you win the prize for the biggest load of total bllx. Perhaps you don't recognise how poor the defence was especially Davis. You obviously ignore the facts as someone previously mentioned. Perhaps you ought to learn a bit about football especially goal keeping. If anyone leaves i think it will be Walton, a high earner but way of Premier standard and Slicker out on loan.

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darkhorse28 added 22:50 - Jul 4 Cadiar I’m not sure where we disagree that Muric won’t leave.., that was my entire point. But not for footballing reasons…, maybe quit the child like personal attacks, another ‘fan’ that can’t adult it seems. Not sure Leif is responsible for Muric not being able to kick a ball, or catch a ball, or command even his six yard box. Assuming McKenna agrees. As everyone indexed to the signing, has left the club!!! Maybe you know better than McKenna like you do everyone else. Complete championship manager mate.., I’m comfortable with my football knowledge, if you think Muric is so brilliant, why is he second or even third choice? Why have we sacked the coach and recruitment team that ID’d him? .., and why won’t he play again even at EFL level. Maybe you e seen something monkey else has. He’s never played well at a high level, and he’s not exactly a youngster. Still you know best buddy.., no other opinions allowed.

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RobsonWark added 23:00 - Jul 4 I'd rather this guy or Tingly Ted in goal than match fixing Muric. Muric, the guy that likes to drive through Ipswich while on his mobile phone and uninsured to drive his Bentley. What a great positive roll model for Town fans - NOT! People on here backing him need to wake up.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:48 - Jul 5 Having read the story, seems a sensible signing! He looks like Tyson fury! AS for Muric, he is poor on so many fronts and i certainly cant see him being sold and us getting our money back so will be going out on loan! Dont rate him as a keeper and from what i read and see dont like him much as a person! Kosovo ranked 97th.
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bluebullet29l added 09:39 - Jul 5 Wow...promotion is all but guaranteed now...
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Linkboy13 added 20:00 - Jul 5 I know we haven't made any signings yet but is this pressing the panic button.
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