Ipswich Town have announced the Bosman free transfer signing of winger Jordan Roberts from Crawley Town.
Roberts, 24, turned down a new deal at the League Two club and becomes Paul Hurst’s second signing as Blues boss.
He has put pen-to-paper on two-year deal and will officially become a Town player on July 1 once his Red Devils contract expires.
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The left-footed winger operated as a makeshift striker for Harry Kewell’s men in the first half of last season, scoring seven goals before December.
Hurst tried to sign him for his promotion-chasing League One side Shrewsbury in January, with Blackburn and Burton also said to have been interested at that time.
“I’m over the moon to get the deal done and join such a big club,” Roberts told the club website.
“I want to go as far as I can and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to express myself here and hopefully give the fans something to cheer about.
“I’ve enjoyed my spells with different clubs but I would say that this move has come at the right time for me. It’s a chance for me to get out there on a bigger stage, at a good club and show everyone what I can do.
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“Overall I would say I’m a player that likes to get on the ball, create chances and generally be as exciting as possible.
“And having had a brief chat with the manager and some of the lads, I just can’t wait to get to work.”
Hurst, who has managed at steps seven to three, has a history of recruiting players who have had to rebuild their careers in non-league after being dropped by bigger clubs.
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After being released from Peterborough’s academy, Roberts played in the Conference for Aldershot, had brief loan spells at Havant & Waterlooville, Tamworth and Bishop’s Stortford before moving north of the border to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
His one season in the Scottish Premier League was disrupted badly by a groin injury, while a fractured toe meant things were initially stop-start for him at Crawley, but Hurst has seen enough to take a chance on a player who will be hungry to prove himself higher up the pyramid.
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The Blues have beaten Hearts and Bolton to the signing, with Roberts having reportedly been in Edinburgh for talks last week.
Roberts becomes Hurst’s second Town signing following the season-long addition of England U19 defender/midfielder Trevoh Chalobah on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Town centre-back Adam Webster is set to join Championship rivals Bristol City in a deal worth an initial £3.5m, with the potential to rise to £8m, later today.
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