Town boss Kieran McKenna admits he is delighted that Marcelino Núñez has chosen the Blues as the best destination to progress his career following the midfielder’s move from arch-rivals Norwich City.

Núñez completed his move to Suffolk on Friday after Town and the Canaries had agreed a fee of £7.5 million up front plus a further £2.5 million in potential add-ons.

“We’re happy to have him,” McKenna said. “It’s an area we felt we certainly needed to add to with the players that have left.

“A high-quality player, a lot of Championship experience, international experience and still at a good age. A really, really good footballer, plays through the pitch well, covers a lot of ground, a set play taker and scorer as we found a couple of seasons ago, so he definitely strengthens us in that department.”

Núñez, 25, is a full Chile international having been capped 31 times by his country, scoring five goals.

The midfielder, who scored the winning goal for the Canaries in the last East Anglian derby, has become the first permanent senior transfer between the sides for 24 years.

McKenna added: “He’s a strong-minded individual and he wants to make the move that he sees as best for his career, and we’re happy that he sees this as that best move.

“He’s from almost the other side of the Earth, he’s from Chile. Of course, local rivalries are massively important and players understand that as well, but he wants to make the move that he thinks is the best progression for his career.

“He’s at a good age, has some good years ahead of him, and we’re delighted that he sees this as the right club for that.”

McKenna added that Núñez should be available to feature for the Blues after the upcoming international break following a minor setback he picked up earlier this month.

“Hopefully after the international break,” McKenna said of his availability. “He’s not ready for tomorrow, he has a little ankle injury he picked up a couple of games ago, but he should be fine by the time that we come back from international duty and ready for those games.”

Asked if he could feature in October’s meeting with Norwich, McKenna said: “He should hopefully be fit for the Sheffield United game, so he’ll be well ahead of schedule for that.”

Photo: ITFC

BeachBlue added 15:22 - Aug 29 Can he come out and say hello to the fans tomorrow at halftime?
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flykickingbybgunn added 15:26 - Aug 29 Wecome Marcelino to Suffolk. I hope you have a long career with us.h And if you can just see your way clear to scoring at Carrow Road .......
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wewerefamous added 15:31 - Aug 29 Hola a las fans!
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ChingShady added 16:22 - Aug 29 Marcelino is a blue! is a blue! is a blue!
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BlueySwede added 16:35 - Aug 29 Welcome! This is a player in the Morsy mould, qualties we have been lacking in the first three games. Hope to see him on the pitch soon.
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ArnieM added 17:54 - Aug 29 Lol, im STILL laughing out loud at this acquisition. Quality player we have stolen off them , however they want to dress it up.....all I'd love to see now is Sargent leave them, for anyone, I dont care who!
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MK1 added 17:59 - Aug 29 Any move away from Norwich is a good move. The fact he has come here just makes it all the sweeter.
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OldFart71 added 18:30 - Aug 29 Not bothered where he comes from as long as he does the job. Welcome Nunez we hope you have a great career at Town and can help them back to the Premier League.
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Bert added 18:51 - Aug 29 Well, Nunez clearly sees us as a progressive club which of course it is. Some won’t like hearing that !
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flykickingbybgunn added 19:31 - Aug 29 Oh what a shame. Top Norwich player thinks he has a better chance of the club doing well by signing for us. Gutted.
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BurleyJefferson added 19:39 - Aug 29 7.5 plus 2.5 extras described as achievable- how do NCFC fans feel about their board backing ITFC to get promoted as this would be the key trigger for the extras.
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