Blues legend Wes Burns’s move to Leicester City has been confirmed, the winger signing a three-year deal with the League One side.

The Welshman penned a new one-year deal with Town only a month ago, however, the 31-year-old was keen to accept the Foxes’ offer of terms for the next three years.

An undisclosed nominal fee understood to be £75,000 was agreed with the club not standing in the way of someone who has given so much to the cause over the last five years, playing a huge part in the three promotions under Kieran McKenna.

“The last five years have simply been incredible,” Burns said. “Ipswich Town has given me and my family so much during that time and I wouldn’t have imagined everything we would achieve together when I signed in 2021.

“It’s been the best period of my career by far and we have created memories which will last a lifetime.

“To win three promotions and then play in the Premier League has been a dream come true and there are so many people I need to thank for their roles in helping us all achieve that.

“Thanks to Mark Ashton for the opportunity to come here and be the club’s first signing following the takeover and to Kieran McKenna for putting his trust in me and helping me improve so much as a player.

“Thank you to all of my teammates over the years and to all of the staff at the training ground – the work done there to support the players is incredible and such an important part of our success.

“And to all of the staff at the stadium, thank you for everything you have done for me. Ipswich Town really is a special club and that is because of the people who give so much every single day.

“And, of course, a huge thank you to our supporters. It has truly been an honour to represent Ipswich Town for such a long time and your support has been vital, both home and away. Since the day I arrived everyone has been so good to me and I will always be grateful.

“I had the opportunity to move elsewhere in January but, at that time, we all decided the most important thing was to focus on getting the club back to the Premier League.

“It was the right decision and I was so proud we managed to achieve that. I am grateful to Mark, firstly for the offer of a new contract this summer and then for keeping his word by allowing me to now pursue an opportunity which offers real security for my young family during the next stage of my career.

“I am grateful for the support Gary O’Neil has offered me this summer and I wish him and the team the best as they prepare for the Premier League season. I’ll be watching from afar and will always be supporting Ipswich Town. Thank you for everything.”

Town chairman and CEO Mark Ashton added: “Wes was the first signing we made following the takeover in 2021 and I think it is safe to say he was a good one.

“What he has been able to contribute during his five years with us means he departs having made a permanent mark on the history of the club, both for his performances on the pitch as well as the way he has carried himself off of it.

“He has been an exceptional representative of Ipswich Town during his time here and I know we all have our own memories of Wes which will stick with us forever.

“He is a player who has always been able to deliver in the biggest moments and he scored some incredible goals, both in terms of their quality and importance.

“Wes and I spoke regularly through last season and, like we have in the past with players who have given so much of themselves to the club, I vowed we would not stand in his way should he receive an opportunity that is right for his career and his family.

“He has now been offered that opportunity and he has the best wishes of everyone at the club as he moves on to the next chapter.”

Regarding his move to Leicester, Burns told the Foxes’ website: “I’m delighted to be here and get it all sorted. Having spoken to the manager [Russell Martin] and various people I know here, there’s a massive ambition to get the club back to where it once was, so I’m excited about the project.

“I want to bring a lot of excitement for the fans, along with plenty of goals and assists. I’m direct and an old school type winger who likes to take on his defenders and put crosses into the box.”

Burns was the first signing of the Gamechanger 20 era with TWTD revealing that Town were closing in on bringing in the Welshman from Fleetwood in June 2021, coincidentally having scored on the final day of the previous season for the Cod Army at Portman Road.

The Blues were believed to have paid around £100,000 for the wideman with Coventry having previously been close to adding him to their squad.

The one-time Bristol City trainee went on to make 132 starts and 32 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring 30 goals, among them some of the most memorable of the last few years, including the famous trivela strike against Coventry which won the 2023/24 EFL Goal of the Season award.

Burns becomes the second legendary figure from the McKenna era to move to the King Power Stadium, Conor Chaplin having made the switch earlier in the summer.

Photo: Matchday Images