Central defender Luke Woolfenden has completed his £4 million move to Coventry City, signing a three-year deal and ending 14 years at his local club.

The Midlanders made an approach for the 26-year-old earlier in the window which the Blues rejected but came back in for him ahead of this evening’s deadline with Watford and Stoke City understood to have been among a number of other Championship clubs keen.

“I’m excited to be here,” Woolfenden told the Sky Blues' official website. “It’s been in the pipelines for a few weeks now. I’m really excited to get going and getting out on the pitch.

“The team have had a great start to the season and I just want to help as much as I can and hopefully the great start continues.”

He told the Town site: Luke said: “It has been an absolute honour to represent my hometown club for so long.

“When I joined the academy as such a young boy I would never have believed I would go on to make so many appearances for the first-team, let alone achieve everything we have in recent years.

“I have seen a lot during my time at the club and there have been some difficult periods as well, but to be a part of such a special time for the club and win back-to-back promotions to the Premier League will live with me forever.

“So many people have helped me along the way and I’ve played with so many special teammates who will be friends for life. I’ll always be grateful.

“It will be strange to not be an Ipswich Town player, but the club will always have a special place in my heart.”

Coventry head coach Frank Lampard added: “I’m delighted to welcome Luke to Coventry City.

“Luke is a quality player who has experienced promotion from the Championship and playing in the Premier League last season.

“He will be a great addition for us, and he will improve the strength of our squad and I look forward to working with him.”

Former East Bergholt High School pupil Woolfenden joined the Town academy aged 12 and made his first senior appearance in the Carabao Cup in August 2017.

Spells on loan at Bromley and Swindon followed, before periods in and out of the team under various managers prior to establishing himself as a key member of Kieran McKenna’s side which won back-to-back promotions.

The Chantry-raised defender’s games were more limited last year following the signing of Dara O’Shea and the same looked to be the case during the campaign ahead and, speaking at the weekend, manager Kieran McKenna confirmed that the academy product wanted to move on.

“Luke’s made it clear for quite a while that he wants to go, so we’ll see what that situation ends up in,” he said.

In total, Woolfenden, who signed a new contract which was due to run until the summer of 2027 with an option for a further year in January, made 204 Town starts and 11 sub appearances, scoring five goals.

Photo: Matchday Images

DifferentGravy added 23:36 - Sep 1 All the best Luke. Felt you were harshly treated to be honest. Certainly didnt do any less than anyone else when you played in the premiership.
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Lennie added 23:47 - Sep 1 Has loads of potential, stylish calm defender who can carry the ball forward from defence … a la Van Dyik…. In the right team he can develop into a really good player …. Doesn’t fit our style …. Good luck at Coventry
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Granthamblue62 added 02:50 - Sep 2 The heart of this team has been ripped out. Burgess and Woolfy are better than Greaves and O'Shea. The latter is no Chambo or Morsy. Its a total rebuild, so will likely finish mid-table at best this season. The trick now will be if all these new mercenary-type players can fit into McKenna's one and only game plan. Troubling times methinks!
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