Town have confirmed the signing of Lee Bowyer on a one-year deal with the option of a second season. On Wednesday, TWTD reported that the midfielder would join the Blues on his return from his holiday ahead of this week's pre-season games in Holland.

Having put pen to paper on his contract, the former Birmingham, Charlton, Leeds, West Ham and Newcastle man will now meet up with the rest of the squad, who flew to their Eindhoven training camp this morning.

Bowyer says he's pleased to be joining Town: "There was interest from other clubs but Ipswich is the right choice for me.

"I know all about the traditions of the club and the history after working with Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle. I know it's a family club but having met the manager, I know it's also an ambitious one and that's very important for me.

"Everything I heard from the manager was very positive. He wants to get Ipswich back in the Premier League and I'm looking forward to playing my part in trying to make that happen."

Blues manager Paul Jewell added: "We're obviously delighted to have signed a player of Lee's quality.

"Anyone who has seen Lee play over the years knows he is a winner and he will bring that winning mentality into our dressing room."

News of Town's interest in the 34-year-old one-time England international first broke last Saturday with Leeds, Derby and unnamed Premier League clubs also believed to have shown interest in the controversial 5ft 9in tall Londoner. The Blues have also hinted that there could be further transfer news on Monday.

Elsewhere, former Town loanee Gianni Zuiverloon has completed his move to La Liga side Real Mallorca.

Photo: Action Images

SouperJim added 11:12 - Jul 11 People keep posting about his acquittal, but he does have a previous conviction for affray which he picked up during his spell at Leeds. The victim still claims the incident was racially motivated and that racist language was used by Bowyer. I think he'll prove to be a fantastic signing on the pitch and so long as he has put his mistakes behind him and doesn't bring the reputation of our football club into disrepute while he's here, I'll back him 100%. But to say he has never been found guilty of anything is inaccurate.

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Lovetown added 11:13 - Jul 11 Great sighing, premier league player experience. Now we need some youngsters! 23+ common PJ Your doing great!
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GTRKing added 11:23 - Jul 11 Yess we shall I hope they Don't announce the new player about 2.30ish when on london tube. We got way better team than last year.
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ITFC_Dean added 11:26 - Jul 11 Great signing COYB
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Bergholtblue added 11:26 - Jul 11 Bowyer was fined £4,500 for an affray in MacDonalds. Whilst the waitress was of Asian origin, the prosecution said that the attack was not racially motivated. Bowyer was cleared of all charges following the attack on Sarfraz Najeib after a (twice heard) trial. Where is the evidence that he is a racist bigot. Woodgate (who was found guilty) had been allowed to rebuild his career. Shouldn't we, as decent human beings, allow LB to carry on with his without judging his past actions not knowing all the facts?

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beerhelps added 12:02 - Jul 11 Bergholt & others he was not found guilty, however - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-370110/Bowyer-pays-student.html I, for one, try to be a decent human being, I'm just uncomfortable with Ipswich (the team and the town) being associated with a man with this much 'baggage'. Daley - I think your comments were out of order, fancy posting again in 'the cold light of day'

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denhamblue added 12:20 - Jul 11 i agree with bury blue,yes the guys a mixture between a edl supporter and not the sharpest knife in the box.however i have felt over the years,we have been to nicey nicey at pr.reminds of a playful kitten rolling over to get their belly tickled.the play offs come to mind,been turned over to many times.so welcome lee,i judge you over the season,not instantly like some perfect individuals on here.(oh and my caps are knackered).

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BlueVelvet added 12:21 - Jul 11 One strike and he's out - read his contract. Club can't afford to be tainted by his tendencies. LB - just focus on ya football, and I'm sure we'll support you, stray away from this and expect to be dropped as damaged goods. Simon
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Surco72 added 12:29 - Jul 11 Top signing well done Jewell exactly what we have been missing for years drive and passion . I must be a massive racist bigott Mr Daley as i would make him captain aswell !! dark days hardly, more like the beckoning light of the premiership guiding us . I for one want to be watching some of the best players in the world playing at portman road in the premiership ,not us being nice and playing lovely football in div 2

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Upbeat~ added 12:45 - Jul 11 I AM GOD it's the kiddies that tend to be the only optimistic bunch here sometimes. For the various reasons that I've mentioned in the forum, I'm happy he's signed. He could be a fantastic player for us. COYB
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blue_em_away added 13:19 - Jul 11 @ beerhelps Don't wanna support Ipswich anymore fella? FEEL FREE TO WALK AWAY!!
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Skip73 added 16:01 - Jul 11 Are these the days, saying you'd rather us be playing in League Two and playing attractive football than gaining promotion through thuggery is the stupidest thing I've ever read. I notice you wrote that before school started.
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beerhelps added 16:44 - Jul 11 blue_em_away- can't walk away, I was born to it. However, the season ticket that I'd held for over ten years did'nt get renewed and last season only saw half a dozen home games and eight away due to the 'quality' of the entertainment vs the pressure on my time. This season? ....don't know, as I posted I'm not overjoyed at this signing but don't feel as strongly as Daley. Can't walk away, but might sit out a season or two. I wonder if I'm the only one...

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onlybluesandhorses added 19:00 - Jul 11 Mmmm. Seem to recall a pretty nasty incident in McDonalds in Docklands when Bowyer was with Charlton. Not much doubt about his need for a brain transplant at that point. As for the incident in Leeds, he may have got off but what he was like was pretty clear. Hopefully PJ has made a few enquiries. But the fact that most IT fans seem to think he is acceptable is very worrying for the future of the Club.

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NotaFanAnymore added 19:10 - Jul 11 It seems Daley's comments were removed. I think the man is entitled to his opinion and shouldn't be censored. I too think this signing is a DISGRACE. I have been a town supporter my whole life but have taken the decision to withdraw my support. In my opinion, judging from the information out there, Bowyer is a racist thug. If you don't condemn him for it then it doesn't mean you have done anything racist yourself but it does mean that you probably think that the racism and violence of others is OK as long as we win more games. Having the best players and scoring the most goals is not the most important thing. Having a team we can be PROUD of is. Our children look up to our players as roll models. As such, I think it is SHAMEFUL that a convicted criminal like Bowyer will join their ranks. Why not give someone else a chance. It's PRIDE and DIGNITY and being the BEST you can be that create the winning spirit that the team needs. Many fans have lost their pride and are desperate to win at any cost. If winning is the most important thing, you should support Chelsea or ManU instead. Just out of interest, how many of you would be happy to sign Nick Griffin of the BNP if he was a great striker and got us promotion? What about Adolf Hitler? He could gas the opposition in the showers at half time! Jewel has sold his soul to the devil.

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warwickblue added 19:47 - Jul 11 I see Nick Grifin as more of a holding-midfielder than an out and out striker, but at 51 he is probably a touch to old even for this season's signings so far. Come on, lighten up, he is neither the first nor the last professional footballer with previous and if my kids looked up to Bowyer as a role-model I would think myself sadly lacking as a dad. Tell your kids you don't like him, tell them why and let them make their own minds up.

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runaround added 21:03 - Jul 11 Excellent signing from a football perspective
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StochesStotasBlewe added 21:43 - Jul 11 NotaFanAnymore. You are entitled to ypur opinions although i suspect you may well be Daley in disguise. If you do not wish to follow our wonderfull football club any more, then that is your choice, however, i believe you (and a few others) are totally misguided by your holier than thou stance to the signing of Mr Boyer. Many players who have worn the blue shirt of our club have transgressed in many ways, yet this seems to conveniently have been forgotten now we have such a high profile player on board, so why don,t you all get down from the moral high ground & support a very good aquisition to the team. WELCOME LEE.

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rosseden added 23:17 - Jul 12 seems like signing Mr Bowyer might be doing us a double favour, getting rid of the fans who whinge and moan at every opportunity, as well as a solid EPL level midfielder for no money....... happy days!
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