Ipswich Town have confirmed a double swoop this afternoon with Arsenal’s Jay Emmanuel-Thomas signing a three year deal, whilst goalkeeper David Stockdale has joined on loan from Fulham.
News that Town were in the hunt for the duo broke last week, Stockdale having been linked with a possible loan move on Thursday before rumours of a bid for Emmanuel-Thomas emerged on Friday. The pair become the sixth and seventh signings to arrive at Portman Road this summer.
Whilst the fee is officially undisclosed, Town are understood to be paying Arsenal between £1.1 million and £1.5 million rising to a possible £2 million for Emmanuel-Thomas, who can play either as a striker or wide midfielder. The 20-year-old, commonly known by his initials JET, has previously played Championship football on loan with Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers and Cardiff City, netting a combined total of 8 goals in 41 matches.
‘I had a good time at Arsenal and I’m going to miss all the boys but my future is about me and I needed to move on,’ Jay told the Official Club Website. ‘I was impressed with what Paul Jewell had to say – and the team he is building. I know he is looking to bring in more players and it’s the club’s ambition to get in the Premier League. That’s my goal as well, to play in the Premier League with Ipswich.’
Meanwhile Stockdale (pictured) arrives on a temporary basis after the Blues agreed a season-long loan deal with Fulham, where the 25-year-old has made just 8 appearances in three seasons. However, new Fulham boss Martin Jol is understood to have asked for a 24-hour recall clause in the deal should Australian Mark Schwarzer be unavailable, and any permanent move looks out of the question after Stockdale signed a four year contract extension with the Cottagers. Even so, the one time England C international is keen to make the most of his spell at Portman Road.
‘I had a great talk with the gaffer here and Ipswich Town is a big club so I was eager to come here,’ Stockdale told the Official Club Site. ‘Now I’m just looking forward to getting going and playing my part in what I hope will be a successful season for Ipswich.’
Emmanuel-Thomas looks likely to be utilised more in the wide midfield role than as an out-and-out forward for Ipswich, whilst Stockdale could well be considered as first choice keeper ahead of Arran Lee-Barrett and Marton Fulop, the Hungarian having already made a number of errors so far in the Blues’ pre-season campaign.
Both new players could make their debuts in Town’s friendly trip to local rivals Colchester United this evening (KO 19:45), whilst fellow summer arrival Ivar Ingimarsson may also finally make his first appearance having missed the Blues’ last four pre-season matches with injury. Further additions seem likely to follow before the season kicks off on 6 August, with a centre-back now likely to be the top priority for Jewell.
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