Town boss Kieran McKenna has been outlining why he brought Leicester City forward Kasey McAteer to Portman Road, the 23-year-old having made his debut as a sub in the 1-0 defeat at Preston.

Republic of Ireland international McAteer moved from the Foxes, with whom he had been since he was eight, for £11.5 million, signing a four-year deal.

“I think he’s a good profile for us as a club in terms that he’s young, 23, a really good age,” McKenna said. “He’s had some really good experiences at the top end of the Championship and the Premier League.

“A lot of growth still in him, I think. He was physically a late developer, so he’s already got good strength for his speed and power but I think he’s going to get stronger and more powerful, and he’s already capable of delivering really good outputs from a physical point of view.

“Of course, his profile on the right-hand side is something that we’re a little bit short of at the moment in terms of straight line speed, physical threat, box threat, defending set plays, attacking set plays and attacking aerial balls. With Wes [Burns] still injured and Chieo [Ogbene] still very much on the comeback, we’re a little bit shorter on those qualities than we like to be.

“So he brings that profile to the group, good energy to the group, a good lad and room still to grow.

“We’re looking forward to working with him and hopefully he’ll have a big part to play this year and in the years ahead.”

Photo: ITFC

flykickingbybgunn added 19:17 - Aug 23 KMcK doubles the value of Delap and Hutch. Let's hope he can do the same with McAteer.
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MickMillsTash added 19:54 - Aug 23 a debut along the lines of Iorfa's - first touch poor, not enough pace and side footing over the bar from 12 yards when it needed laces KmCk may double his 'value' - but his Value does not seem to be 11 Million.
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Wickets added 20:48 - Aug 23 Made up your mind a bit quick Mick as he only played a few minutes.
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MickMillsTash added 21:45 - Aug 23 Wickets- I'll give McAteer support and time but that was a pretty crud few minutes.
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trncbluearmy added 07:15 - Aug 24 no getting away from it, that was a pretty poor debut Had a golden opportunity to be a hero in front of 5000 desperate Town fans
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Marinersnose added 08:29 - Aug 24 Good to see the fans supporting our new signing. If anyone is to highlight poor touch then Hirst has to be singled out. He wasn’t at the races. I said he will struggle to score 10 goals before the season started and I stand by that. Two good chances missed, a sitter against Saints. Szmodics should babe played in his proper position so that he can score goals. He’s our best finisher by a mile and looks very frustrated. Mom for two games on the bounce so maybe he’s looking for a move

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