New Blues signing Exequiel Palacios says he’s achieving a childhood dream by joining a Premier League club, the Argentina World Cup winner having completed his move to Town yesterday.

The 27-year-old has signed a deal to the summer of 2030, the Blues having agreed a fee of €22.5 million (£19.2 million) plus a further €5 million (£4.3 million) in add-ons with his former side Bayer Leverkusen, who are understood to be due 10 per cent of the profit on a future sale.

“I'm happy to be here at this club,” Palacios told TownTV. “I'm really happy because it's a new opportunity and challenge for both me and my family, and I'm looking forward to getting started and helping the team.”

Asked why Town, he said: “Firstly, because I felt like Ipswich came looking for me, and I always try to do what's best for me and my family.

“I think it's a great opportunity. It is a club that wants to be a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League. I'm someone who likes a challenge and to help my team.”

Palacios had a seven-year spell with Leverkusen, with whom he won the Bundesliga and the Pokel, the German Cup, in the same year.

“I was there for a long time,” he reflected. “I spent a huge part of my career at Leverkusen and I think it felt like the right time for a change.

“Being part of the club's history is special for me, but today is the start of a new phase in my career and life, and I'm really happy.”

Looking back on that 2023/24 title win, he added: “It was beautiful because we put together a great team and coaching staff. And everyone connected to the club has a lot of energy.

“These were beautiful moments that will stay with me throughout my career and I hope to return to the club one day and remember the good times.”

Quizzed on what Town fans can expect of perhaps the highest profile signing in the club’s history, he said: “I'm a player who tries to give their all on the pitch to help the team and do things well.

“I give it my all to play to the best of my abilities and show my best form on the pitch with team spirit, fighting for every ball as if it were my last, to help this club.”

Palacios, who was a member of the Argentina squad which won the 2022 World Cup and also this summer’s party which finished runners-up in North America, says it’s always been an ambition to play in the Premier League.

“Yes, it's a dream that I'm actually going to achieve,” he continued. “Since I was a kid, I always watched the Premier League on TV with my dad, and today I'm about to achieve a dream that I've had since I was a kid. I'm really looking forward to playing in the Premier League.

“The Premier League is tough. I know it's the best league in the world. Like I said, I like a challenge and I'm going to work hard to get up to speed quickly and help the team and do big things.”

He says being a World Cup winner means a lot: “To be world champion with my country is beautiful and special. It's going to stay with me for my whole life.

“I want to prove to this club, who put their trust in me, that I am a world champion and show this on the pitch with a positive attitude and strong performances, and prove they were right to place their trust in me.”

And he believes being the first winner of a World Cup to play for Town comes with a responsibility, even if it’s not something he wants to spend too long thinking about.

“Yes, absolutely,” he said. “But, I don't want to dwell on that, I want to prove every day why they're putting their trust in me as a player and all I can do is show my gratitude when I'm on the pitch.”

Palacios says he is learning about Ipswich and Suffolk: “Yes, I was looking up some bits about it - what it's like, the culture, the people, how passionate they are.

“It encouraged and helped me to make that decision; how people experience the matches, the fans. I think it's something I like too, because they support the team all the time and that's what made my mind up about coming to the club.”

He says he can’t wait to play at Portman Road in front of the Town fans: “I'm really looking forward to it. I recently had the chance to get to know them a bit and I can't wait for the next match so I can start training with my teammates and be ready to help the team and play in that lovely stadium.”

Asked for his message for Blues supporters, he added: “Firstly, I hope we can meet soon and get to know each other. And for my part, I'd just like to say, I'm going to try to give my all in every match, in every minute, so I can help them on the pitch.

“I think we're going to have a great connection, them with me and me with them. So that's all. Sending you lots of hugs and kisses and I hope we'll see each other soon.”

Photo: ITFC/Matchday Images