Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.

The 40-year-old, released by Everton at the end of last season, has undergone a medical at Town and is set to be unveiled as the Blues’ fourth signing of the summer.

We understand he is joining purely as a player with no coaching duties and will be the club’s oldest ever signing.

As reported last night, Young watched the U21s friendly at Needham Market with other members of his family, with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad. It's understood Tyler has impressed and looks set to be offered terms, although as it stands he remains a trialist.

Earlier in the week, it emerged that Young was on Town’s radar but with no deal done at that stage, a move back to his first club Watford having fallen through.

Capped by England 39 times, scoring seven goals, Young senior started his career with the Hornets having joined them aged 10.

The Stevenage-born full-back or winger moved on to Aston Villa in 2007 and then Manchester United four years later and was at the club after Kieran McKenna had been promoted to the first-team staff and has praised the Blues boss.

A spell at Inter Milan, then a return to Aston Villa followed prior to joining Everton, for whom he made 36 appearances last season, in July 2023.

Speaking last week, Young said he is keen to keep playing in the season ahead despite hitting his forties.

Photo: MI News via Reuters Connect

ArnieM added 16:45 - Jul 23 Well, I hope this works out because I'll bet it's costing Town a fortune....
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FelixBlue4 added 16:53 - Jul 23 Had a little feeling it might be hinging on his boy getting a deal here also.
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Andy32Cracknell added 16:57 - Jul 23 Interesting signing, can’t really find nothing negative to say about it though. Generally keeps himself super fit, played 30+ games in the Premiership last season. Glad it’s only a 1yr contract. Can see Johnson being sold now for about £10m if I’m honest, probably Hutchinson as well for about £40m. Then we need to get our midfield and frontline sorted bolstered asap.

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Gforce added 16:58 - Jul 23 Does this mean Clarke will be on his bike ?
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SheffieldTractor added 16:58 - Jul 23 What is happening!?
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Suffolkboy added 16:58 - Jul 23 For sure KM and MA will have thought this one through ; AY can bring unparalleled experience and guidance which will help,others grow and might for one year prove a crucial influence ! It seems certain his continuing total enthusiasm and nouse will add another factor to our maturing Club M COYB
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planetblue_2011 added 17:01 - Jul 23 Interesting signing he definitely brings experience to the squad. Can’t see him being a regular starter but could be wrong. Got to hand it to him for wanting to play at 40. He obviously is still fit enough so good luck to Ashley & his son Tyler for getting themselves a deal with us. Just another midfielder & striker & we should be good to go. COYB’S
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TomCruise added 17:02 - Jul 23 I think this is a good signing.
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Rozeeboy74 added 17:09 - Jul 23 I can't decide if he would command a massive salary or not. I don't think MA would spend big on someone at this stage in their career. Maybe at 35, Young would want to pump his pension fund as full as possible. But at 40 and still lucky enough to be fit enough top play, why would he miss his (potential) swansong season for being greedy? But then, experience is something that you can clearly buy after all.

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Tedray added 17:10 - Jul 23 Bring on Stanley Matthews.........
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stiffy501 added 17:11 - Jul 23 40 year old ? got to be a coaching role surely
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WalkRules added 17:23 - Jul 23 We need experience and he is clearly a super fit decent player. Anybody who disagrees maybe did not watch him play against us last year - shockingly good to my mind. Let's give him every chance but i'm looking forward to this. Others on here have mentioned that this may free up others for a move away - throw in a possible Hutchinson fee and a couple of others then maybe the £100m+ comment from the email a little while ago may not have been far off the mark. Just saying. I know that this is a marmite comment - but i'm starting to get excited for the season ahead - especially if a couple of links get confirmed. And the Cajuste situation has gone vvvveeeeeeerrrrryyyy quiet.

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bluesissy added 17:27 - Jul 23 Completely baffling....
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BlueInBerks added 17:29 - Jul 23 Doesn't need the cash but does need to do everything possible to support his son's career and if that means 30 minutes game time here and there and some cup competitions then surely it's a win/win. Although not a formal coaching role that still leaves lots of room for informal coaching, reviewing games, consulting... Great move I reckon.
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blueboy1981 added 17:29 - Jul 23 Check back, after Relegation I said and predicted then ‘take nothing for granted now, and be prepared to expect anything’ - we have exactly that !! My Critics don’t like Truth and Fact - but I was right, and not living unlike some, in a delusional state of mind. It is what is is - restrictions are now compulsory, and the reigns have been tightened !! The Pressure to now produce is ON !!

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jdtractor96 added 17:34 - Jul 23 I don’t doubt he will be a good player, but seems a strange signing given we seem to have enough depth in his favoured position, right back? Does this mean Clarke or Johnson are on their way out? Hope not!
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Gforce added 17:36 - Jul 23 With all his experience and know how this could turn out to be a very shrewd signing by Mckenna. Still don't know why some people think we only need 1 more central midfielder in,we have lost Cajuste, Phillips, Morsy and Luongo, so surely two more quality additions are still required,along with two quality strikers, AAH I'm afraid not up to it.
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terryf added 17:36 - Jul 23 I remember watching Stanley Matthews playing at 50 so if Ashley Young is fit and able to play the right back role at 40 I'm going with McKenna's judgement on this one. Could turn out to be an astute signing!
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paris_mitchell_in_oz added 17:41 - Jul 23 @bluesissy - Not nearly as baffling as your profile picture, mate.
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bricor2011 added 17:44 - Jul 23 Dads Army.
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muhrensleftfoot added 17:45 - Jul 23 Great to see these Young players coming through our new Category One academy
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flykickingbybgunn added 17:47 - Jul 23 Clearly he is coming because of his son. It will be a cheap one for us I expect. A good signing to have in the dressing room if not so much on the pitch.
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Dissboyitfc added 17:47 - Jul 23 Bit mixed on this one! Did look good against us! Blueboy you state your opinion you seldom state facts and you are seldom right, in both our promotion seasons you said we hadn’t got a chance and you didn’t trust MA or KM to get the club promoted! What’s your prediction for this season? I am going for promotion!
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Steph added 17:48 - Jul 23 Stop Press: 'England International Signs For Ipswich'. Quoted in the prospectus seeking new owner.
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:55 - Jul 23 Andy32cracknell sorry didn't mean to mark you down
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