Town’s only deadline-day signing Luca Fletcher says he’s excited to begin a new chapter of his career with the Blues having moved from Manchester City.

While Town’s senior squad had been assembled before the final day of the transfer window, Fletcher, 18, was added to the U21s, initially on loan but with an obligation to buy. The deal is also understood to include buy-back and sell-on clauses.

“Excited to start a new chapter at Ipswich Town,” Fletcher wrote on Instagram.

Ben Chenery, Town’s academy manager, told the club site: “We are pleased to have been able to bring Luca into the group.

“We are looking forward to having him with us and believe he can help us as we look to progress the U21 programme following the move to Premier League 2, as well as develop himself during his time with us.”

Reading-born Fletcher, who has been capped by England at U16 and U17 levels, started his career with his hometown club before moving on to City in 2023.

Primarily a central striker but also able to operate on the left and right, Fletcher has scored 12 goals and picked up six assists in 39 Premier League 2 games for City.

Photo: Instagram

MrJase_79 added 14:37 - Sep 3 Gotta say, the fella sure don't look too excited in that picture. I'm excited to have him here though!
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PortmanTerrorist added 14:44 - Sep 3 Good luck to the lad...but I keep saying the same thing that at 18 and older, these 'kids' we are signing need to be looking at 1st Team action otherwise (which I cannot see happening) one can only presume this is an exercise in asset trading again?!
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PhilTWTD added 15:18 - Sep 3 Not many players make first teams at 18 these days.
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Steelmonkey added 15:57 - Sep 3 With all the big money signings coming in how is that going to affect the youngsters in our Academy getting game time, and if we are buying because the quality of our youngsters isn’t there then what is the point of having an Academy.
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LWNR1973 added 15:57 - Sep 3 Welcome Luca, to the best club currently outside the Prem.
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LeightonBuzzardBlue added 16:29 - Sep 3 Sneakily excited for this. I think he'll be a great signing for the future - could see him getting a good loan next season.
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Mark added 17:03 - Sep 3 It's always exciting to sign a young striker and to see if we can develop him into a first team player, which is really hard these days with all the competition. If he does make it, I see Man City have a buy back clause. I wish something could be done to ban those. I wonder what Man City could buy him back for.
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