Canadian international winger Jaime Peters is on the verge of signing for the Blues. Free agent Peters, 17, will be at Portman Road today with his agent with negotiations expected to reach their conclusion over the weekend.

Peters, who has five full Canada caps, came to Portman Road on trial in the summer after leaving the youth set-up at German side Kaiserslautern.

The midfielder from Pickering, Ontario impressed in an U18 friendly against Liverpool and a pre-season reserve match at Needham Market, and manager Joe Royle immediately moved to try to sign him.

However, Peters was already committed to trials with Millwall, Derby, Manchester United and Chelsea. It appeared he was set to sign for the Lions but visa rules put any move on hold.

These issues mean that even after he commits to the club, Peters will not be able to play for the Blues until after his 18th birthday on May 4th, just four days before Town will hope to wrap up their season at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Boss Joe Royle is hopeful that the deal can be completed but is not taking anything for granted: "Jaime is a great prospect and it will represent a great coup for this club if he signs.

"I am confident that he will be joining us - we are already quite a way down the road - but we are not going to count our chickens just yet."

Canada head coach Frank Yallop initially recommended Peters to Town, while Canuck skipper Jason De Vos has sought to persuade the youngster that joining the Blues would be in his best interest.

Peters, 5ft 6in tall and similar in style to former Blue David Johnson, has long been identified as a future star of Canadian football and made international appearances at U17, U20 and U23 level prior to making his senior debut this season.

Photo: Action Images

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