Town have signed Republic of Ireland U19 international midfielder Conor Hourihane from Sunderland. The 19-year-old turned down a deal at the Stadium of Light and penned a one-year contract at Portman Road this afternoon.

Born in Cork, Hourihane, who was linked with a loan move to the Blues last summer, will be well known to Keane and assistant Tony Loughlan from their time with the Black Cats.

A Republic of Ireland U19 team-mate of Town's Ronan Murray, Hourihane, who has also won caps at U17 level, plays all across the midfield, usually centrally for the Irish side, and can also operate behind the main striker.

While with Sunderland, Roy Keane gave the 5ft 9in tall youngster first team experience in pre-season friendlies, but he is yet to play a competitive senior game.

Town will have to pay Sunderland compensation for Hourihane, who says he felt his chances would be limited on Wearside: "I was offered a new contract at Sunderland but there are a lot of players up there and when I found out about Ipswich's interest, I felt it was the right move for me.

"I know the manager from Sunderland and a few of the lads from Ireland. I have played with Ronan Murray in the U19 team and I've known Shane O'Connor for a long while.

"When I see what Shane has achieved after being given a chance here, that's what I've got to aim for.

"I'm grateful for the chance Ipswich have given me and the manager has told me that I've got to get my head down and work hard and see what develops from there.”

Town's first signing of the summer will not be involved in either the first team game at PSV or the reserve match at Great Yarmouth tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Town have been linked with a move for ex-Republic of Ireland full-back Steve Finnan. The 34-year-old former Welling, Birmingham, Notts County, Fulham, Liverpool and Espanyol man is out of contract having left Portsmouth at the end of the season.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

BrightBlue added 16:30 - Jul 16 Wait for it, here come the whingers that he is ex-Sunderland and Irish. Good Luck at Town Conor
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chrice added 16:32 - Jul 16 One year deal for a youngster who will be cheap and may turn out to be brilliant. Nothing wrong with this bit of business at all. Lets hope he turns out to be somewhere near as good as Colback
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Nunn_the_Wiser added 16:32 - Jul 16 Could be another Colback........ Or Healy.
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Gary added 16:32 - Jul 16 lets hope hes as promising as the other Con(n)or
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SiBo added 16:33 - Jul 16 Agreed, good luck to you... As you said; Shane O'Connor, came here, worked hard and got a first team place, so let's hope you can as well!
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BlueysNosebag added 16:33 - Jul 16 Keane Out
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Hunterssecondball added 16:35 - Jul 16 I can hear the moaners now, but he would have heard good things from Colback etc, plus Murray and O'Connor must have encouraged him. U19, U17, there must be some.thing about him. But somewhere, just somewhere a supporter of ITFC will construe this as a negative because it's Rep Ireland & Sunderland connections. Oh, silly me, I've spelt it out for them!! :)
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bedsitfc added 16:36 - Jul 16 agreed people will whinge sunderland, irish blah blah but could be a good signing good luck matey
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dobbie73 added 16:37 - Jul 16 Good luck Conor, and welcome aboard! Moaners - get behind the lad, and be positive for once PLEASE?!??
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Stc added 16:38 - Jul 16 Great signing for you guys .
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SouperJim added 16:39 - Jul 16 Good bit of business, promising young player nicked off a premiership club.
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hype313 added 16:40 - Jul 16 Good Luck Conor, dont think i'll attempt to pronounce your surname mind
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MaySixth added 16:40 - Jul 16 Good luck son. Work hard.
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andipeters added 16:40 - Jul 16 young promising player - whats not to like? we still have time to sign a quality striker to play/educate Connor and a really creative midfielder and we'll have a good chance at playoffs. then at the end of the season, Keane can be judged.
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bedsitfc added 16:41 - Jul 16 oh so much for no signings being close!!!!!! cleggy you lied. dont be suprised if chops or hooper pass through the door this new lad looks like fernando torres
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Suffolk_n_Good added 16:44 - Jul 16 To be honest, I'm just grateful we've signed someone!!! As others have said YES, he's ex-Sunderland, YES he's Irish, but lets give him a chance it worked out well for Shane O'Connor, so good luck Conor...... Bring on the next signing Mr Evans!!
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NW10_Tractor added 16:48 - Jul 16 This is what we need at the club, good young promising talent -Stars of the future - If you are in, hopefully we'll see you in Holland tomorrow.
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dobbie73 added 16:49 - Jul 16 Lol, hype313 ... I'm guessing its "HOO-REE-AN" or "HOO-RAN", but I am willing to be corrected!
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Crock added 16:49 - Jul 16 @People who says he can be brilliant. He is 19 years old and hasn't played a game for Sunderland. Use your brains please.
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hype313 added 16:50 - Jul 16 Dobs i'll let you start the chant after a couple of pints! the rest of us will just murmer!
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bluearmy4life added 16:51 - Jul 16 I don't care where he is from if he can do the job for town thats all that matters!Welcome conor all the best to ya! Chopra or hooper tomorrow? Either one will be great. Starting to feel positive air is coming to town!
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dobbie73 added 16:56 - Jul 16 Its a deal hype313! I'll just be over here .... *DASHES FOR THE DOOR*
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Tractorog added 16:57 - Jul 16 This club has made its way in the past by bringing on youngsters... I think it is our only realistic policy for the future.Let's not waste the crop we have. Good news.
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hype313 added 16:59 - Jul 16 Yep, i can just see me standing there shouting "theres only two connors and one of them has a tongue twisting surname, walking along, singing a song......
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TractorBeezer added 17:02 - Jul 16 Sounds promising. Welcome Conor and I wish you well.
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