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Ipswich Town bring in Wes Burns from Fleetwood Town as Paul Cook's first signing with Cods Vlogs host Ben Knapman expecting him to be a fans' favourite at Portman Road




Ipswich Town's expected summer signing spree has begun with the addition of versatile right-sided player Wes Burns from League One rivals Fleetwood Town.

And according to popular Cods Vlogs host Ben Knapman (see video below) Blues fans are in for a treat as he told the Talking Town podcast he will be a bundle of energy and a good signing.

The 26-year-old, who has featured at right wing-back or on the right of a front three in recent years, has joined for an undisclosed free on a three-year deal.

The Welsh under-21-capped player becomes the first new recruit to the playing squad under the Gamechanger 20 ownership.

Cardiff born, Burns progressed through the youth ranks at Bristol City and made 54 appearances for the Robins.

He had loan spells at Forest Green, Oxford, Cheltenham, Fleetwood and Aberdeen before joining Fleetwood on a three-and-half-year deal in January 2017.

Former Fleetwood Town player Wes Burn has become Paul Cook's first player signing at Ipswich Town Picture: ITFC
Former Fleetwood Town player Wes Burn has become Paul Cook's first player signing at Ipswich Town Picture: ITFC

A mainstay in their team down the right flank, he scored 16 goals in 144 League games, including finding the net in a 3-1 defeat at Town on the last day of the 2020/21 season.

“I’m obviously delighted to get the deal done and sign for what is a massive football club,” Burns told iFollow Ipswich.

“I spoke to the manager and Mark Ashton (CEO) and I know the ambitions they have for the Club.

“I have worked with Mark before at Bristol City and Oxford and I know what he wants to achieve in football.

Wes Burns has signed a three-year contract at Ipswich Town after signing from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee Picture: ITFC
Wes Burns has signed a three-year contract at Ipswich Town after signing from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee Picture: ITFC

"He told me about the takeover and getting Ipswich going in the right direction. It’s an exciting time for the club, seeing the ambitions they have and that is one of the big draws for me coming here.

“The manager made it clear as well that the target is getting promoted to the Championship next season and then to kick on from there.

"The long-term goal is to reach the Premier League and I’m thrilled to be part of that challenge.”

Cook said he was pleased to get a player he had quickly identified as wanting in his Town squad.

“Wes has been a target of mine for a while and we are delighted to have got him here,” he told the club website.

“He’s a great lad, a great character and a good player. He can play in a couple of different positions and he poses an attacking threat, as our supporters saw when he scored at our place at the end of last season.

“He’s at a great age (26) for a player and has gained a wealth of experience playing at different clubs.

"He can break the lines; is a good crosser of the ball and has an eye for goal. He brings to the squad the calibre of player required here.

He said he expected more to follow very soon.

“Supporters were probably getting a bit anxious that we hadn’t signed anyone but the reality is that the recruitment of players is a process now," he said.

“It’s great that Mark is now in place at the club and working behind his desk day in, day out and I think it will be to the fore that we will start to see players coming into Ipswich Town now.”

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