News

Duke Delighted With Jewell Reunion

|
Image for Duke Delighted With Jewell Reunion

New Ipswich Town signing Nathan Ellington has expressed his delight at being reunited with manager Paul Jewell after the striker put pen to paper on a two year deal this afternoon.

Reports earlier in the day had revealed that Watford frontman Ellington – nicknamed ‘Duke’ – was at Portman Road for a medical, with the club announcing a press conference soon after. The 29-year-old, who was linked with the Blues last weekend after being released by the Hornets, joins up with Jewell for a third time having previously played under the Liverpudlian at Wigan Athletic and Derby County. Indeed, Ellington revealed that the chance to work with Jewell again was a major factor in his decision to join Town.

Ellington told the Official Club Website: ‘The best time of my career so far has come under Paul Jewell at Wigan and I’m confident that I can rediscover that form now that I’m playing for him again.’

‘Coming in for training under Paul, both at Wigan and Derby, was always a pleasure and his outlook on football is first class,’ he said. ‘When he expressed an interest in signing me for Ipswich, I didn’t have to think twice.’

Town fans will be hoping that Ellington can rediscover the form that saw him score 59 league goals in 134 appearances to help Jewell’s Wigan secure promotion to the Premier League in 2005. The Bradford-born striker has struggled somewhat during subsequent spells at West Bromwich Albion and Watford, joining Derby on loan in 2008 before having similar spells with Greek side Xanthi and with Preston North End last season. Despite that, he told the Official Site that he is confident of getting back to his best again at Portman Road.

‘I was pleased with my fitness levels last year at Preston, and that has given me a good foundation on which to build this summer,’ he said. ‘I’m pleased to have signed this early because I can hit the ground running when we return to training. When I’ve had good pre-seasons, I’ve gone on to score goals, so hopefully that will happen.’

Ellington becomes Jewell’s third signing of the summer following the captures of Michael Chopra and Ivar Ingimarsson. Further signings are almost certain to follow in the weeks to come as the Blues boss rebuilds his squad, with midfield and defensive reinforcements likely to be the focus from hereon. However, the new arrivals up front are likely to be followed by the departure of at least one member of Town’s existing strikeforce, with Jason Scotland reportedly interesting newly-promoted Brighton & Hove Albion.

Are you happy with the signing of Nathan Ellington? Do you think he is past his best, or are you confident that Ipswich can get him firing again? Share your thoughts on this story on our club forums or using the comment box below by registering an account with Vital Ipswich:

Join The Vital Debate

And keep informed about all the latest Ipswich Town stories by following Vital Ipswich on Facebook and Twitter:

facebook twitter

Share this article

Editor

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *