New Blues signing Kasey McAteer says having plenty of familiar faces at the club will help him integrate into the squad following his £11.5 million-plus-add-ons move from Leicester City.

The 23-year-old becomes the fifth senior Republic of Ireland international at Town, alongside skipper Dara O’Shea, Jack Taylor, Chieo Ogbene and Sammie Szmodics, while head of goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin is on the Ireland staff.

In addition, he joined AFC Wimbledon on loan the same month that Ali Al-Hamadi moved to the Wombles and they played together for six months at Plough Lane. George Hirst is a one-time Leicester teammate.

“I know a lot of the boys from Ireland, I know a few others from previous clubs as well,” McAteer told TownTV.

“It’s always good when you’re coming into a group and you know players here already and they can give their advice and they were only giving good advice, so I knew it was a good place to come. I’ll see them in the coming days and hopefully we can get going together. It will help me integrate into a new group, knowing a few of the boys from Ireland.

“They’ve all been great guys when I’ve been away with the national team, so hopefully I can come in and build on the bonds I’ve already got with those boys as well. As well as that, build with the players I don’t know so well. Very excited and can’t wait to meet them all.”

McAteer, who has signed a four-year deal, is making the first move of his career, having been at Leicester since he was eight.

The Northampton-born forward admits it’s not easy to leave a club after such a long spell.

“It’s tough, I can’t sit here and lie and say it’s not because it is, it’s really tough,” he continued. “But at the same time, I’ve had a great 14 years of my life there, that period has been great and I’ve enjoyed it. I love the club and I wish them nothing but success in the future.

“But at this point in my career, it’s a good step for me, it’s a good place to come, an exciting place to come and it’s the best thing for me right now. It’s a no-brainer for me to come here.”

The Foxes pipped the Blues to the Championship title in 2023/24 with the teams playing out two hard-fought draws in that campaign.

“Tough games, it’s never an easy game against Ipswich,” he recalled. “I think in the Champ season two years ago we had two 1-1 draws, they were both really tough games with the fans really up for it as well, on both sides, which was great and to be a part of it was really good.

“It’s a good place to come. My best friend’s dad’s from Ipswich, so he’s going to be buzzing when he sees this. I just can’t wait to get going now.”

In May, McAteer achieved a milestone in his former club’s 2-0 victory over the Blues: “It was my first Premier League goal, hopefully not my last. It was great to get, obviously against Ipswich not so great, but that happened.

“Hopefully I can build on that, score as many goals as I possibly can in the season ahead at Ipswich.”

He says he’s kept an eye on Town with the Blues and Foxes having been on similar journeys over the last two years.

“When you get promoted from the Championship, you’re always looking at the other two and how they’re doing,” he said.

“Last season, we all struggled because we all know what the Premier League is and it’s relentless.

“This season I imagine the aim is to get promoted again, all the boys will be pushing to do that day in, day out as well as the manager and the staff and that’s what I’ve come to do myself.

“I want to aspire to be the best I can be and the best version of myself I can bring. And hopefully if I can bring that to the squad, then we’re on a good path.”

Having had a taste of the Premier League last season, McAteer is looking to make a return.

“I loved it, the time I got to play I loved it,” he added. “Every young boy dreams of playing in the Premier League. I hope I can add to that in the future.

“That’s where I aspire to be and hopefully that’s where this club will be at this time next season. That’s what we’ll aspire to achieve and we’ll work hard day in, day out to achieve that.”

Photo: ITFC

ruds added 12:20 - Aug 22 Welcome KM2. A fully fit signing is gold for us right now & Leicester's loss is hopefully our gain!!! Show us what you've got tomorrow sir.
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oioihardy added 12:20 - Aug 22 Can he play st ? Hahaa we need a st desperately
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jas0999 added 12:28 - Aug 22 Well, unlike several of our targets this summer, you can tell he wants to play for us. That’s clearly an important aspect, so time to get behind him. Good luck to the lad.
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shakerbreaker added 12:36 - Aug 22 11.5 million Pounds plus add-ons and 20K/30K per week(?) for a footballer who has never excelled. 10 quid an hour for people who work their stones off. Modern England. Hum on my brazils.
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PhuketPete added 12:41 - Aug 22 OmG on every thread, no matter whatever the topic or it’s relevancy, there is always someone or ten telling us we need another striker or midfielder, like they’re the first person to think of it.
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Stato added 12:47 - Aug 22 2 shots on target in total from first 2 games and £11m on a Leicester bench warmer is going to improve that how ?
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Broadbent23 added 12:52 - Aug 22 Welcome Kasey. Hopefully you have brought some of Leicester luck with you a Prem title and a FA cup in the last ten years.
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NorthLondonBlue2 added 12:56 - Aug 22 Sometimes, a change of scene and club can work wonders. We know KMcK has an excellent track record of developing players, too. We’re in for a tough old season and it’s time for everyone to stop the carping and get right behind the team!
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hello66 added 13:39 - Aug 22 Well, if there’s one thing I’ve learnt, McKenna seems to be able to get a little bit of extra out of its players it’s all about Man management…. and some of the Leicester fans are agreeing with me. What Leicester fans suggesting that Kasey McAteer could thrive under Kieran McKenna,others believe McAteer’s style and attitude are tailor-made for Ipswich’s system. Untapped potential “He never got a proper run here. McKenna might be the one to unlock him.” Tactical fit “His pressing and pace suit Ipswich’s high-energy style. Could be a smart move.” Respect for McKenna “If anyone can get the best out of him, it’s McKenna. He’s a top coach.”

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jon_talbot56 added 13:50 - Aug 22 Bit surprised we signed another winger. It looks a bit like who we can get rather than who we really need. Bad news for Burns and l think we have given up on Princess Hackney.
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MK1 added 14:02 - Aug 22 Shakerbeaker. If somebody is being paid £10 an hour, then the company they are working for is breaking the law.
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bobble added 14:15 - Aug 22 Wish i was earning 10 quid an hour
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TimmyH added 14:21 - Aug 22 I find this a really strange signing and maybe a hint of desperation in it...think, why would a fellow promotion contender want to sell him if he was only going to be a positive to them staying there but to sell him on it on to a strong fellow contender? I see typical posts above mentioning that McK will get more out of him than what has gone before...the tractor googles well and truly on and a bit of hopeful thinking...

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Baino added 15:10 - Aug 22 Bit surprised by him doing but until he plays and until everyone is in or out that is going to be, then we'll have to be patient and see how it goes. If folk are surprised at Leicester selling to a rival, why does it have to be for a negative reason towards the player, its because they are actually having a mass clear out because they have to make sure books balance or points deduction in the future.

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Baino added 15:13 - Aug 22 *bit surprised by the signing...damn auto correct! Haha!
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PhilR added 15:32 - Aug 22 For what it's worth, a friend of mine who is a Leicester fan is very disappointed they have sold McAteer, says he is a bright young player, has been impressed with him and thinks he has great potential
3

BlueDread added 15:35 - Aug 22 That’s a lot of money for essentially a back up player. He’s young so we have to be paying out that kind of money thinking he will improve drastically and became a profitable asset.
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emergencylime added 15:51 - Aug 22 I will be cheering the Boys in Green of course (lived there for 12 years), but i selfishly hope they don’t all get called up at once…we’ve some key games after the 3 international breaks this year, so we’ll need good cover in case any come back with injuries. Sept 6: Ireland v Hungary Sept 9: Armenia v Ireland Sept 12: Sheff Utd (H) Oct 11: Portugal v Ireland Oct 14: Ireland v Armenia Oct 17: Boro (A) Oct 21: Charlton (H) Oct 25: West Brom (H) Nov 13: Ireland v Portugal Nov 16: Hungary v Ireland Nov 22: Wrexham (H) Nov 25: Hull City (A)

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Karlosfandangal added 15:53 - Aug 22 Excellent…..Philogene on the left McAteer on the right and Clarke on the bench
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Dissboyitfc added 15:55 - Aug 22 he looks pleased to be here! Will give him some games before i have an opinion on this.
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Lukeybluey added 16:04 - Aug 22 Welcome! I do hope we still also go in for the Norwegian lad too.
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ArnieM added 16:35 - Aug 22 Welcome, to Town. But Ashtons had hus pants pulled fien with that fee, plus add ons!
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Northstandveteran added 17:03 - Aug 22 @Stato. Which is two more than we have had after 2 games :)))
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Marinersnose added 17:19 - Aug 22 PhilR exactly right. I’ve spoken to friends who are Foxes STH and they’re gutted he’s leaving and rate him very highly indeed. They reckon he’s a steal at that price. He has been bought to start games for sure as at 23 he is a future star. Look forward to seeing him play. Too many with no knowledge casting him aside already
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churchmans added 18:27 - Aug 22 Just been on the leicester city equivalent of twtd and there all in disbalief that they managed to get such a high fee for him! Mediocre player,average championship player accirding to there members! Does not seem lime a wirld beater! Hopefully KM can work some magic!
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