New loan signing Paul Digby hopes he can get his career back on track with the Blues, having joined from Barnsley until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal.

“I’m buzzing to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” the 20-year-old told Ipswich Player HD.

“The move has been on the cards for a little while as I have been training with the lads for a few weeks and I’ve settled in really well with all the boys.

“I haven’t played as much football as I would have liked at Barnsley but my match fitness is fine and I’m ready to go if called upon. This was an opportunity I just couldn’t turn down really.

“The gaffer’s career speaks for itself and I feel I can only benefit from working with him and his coaches day in, day out as well as training alongside established, quality Championship players.”

Sheffield-born Digby came through the Oakwell youth system and made his senior debut aged only 16, but has made just three appearances this season, one League One start and two matches from the bench in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Overall, he has made 11 starts and 14 sub appearances for the Tykes.

“I sort of burst on the scene at Barnsley and then things haven’t quite worked out,” the 6ft 4in tall former England U19 and U20 international admitted. “But I’m hoping to get my career back on track with Ipswich now.

“I’m a quite a versatile player and I’ve played most of my football in central midfield for Barnsley, but I think the gaffer sees me as more of a centre-back.

“I can also play at right-back but to be honest I’m just happy to help out wherever I can. I was at the Burnley game sat in with the fans and they made a lot of noise, so I’m just itching to get started and play in front of them now.”

Paul Digby says he already feels 'at home' with Town, despite only being at #itfc for a couple of weeks #itfc https://t.co/tqX8ujheIn

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 4, 2016

Digby, who spent time on trial with Manchester United earlier this year, is contracted to Barnsley until the summer of 2017.

Meanwhile, Ebbsfleet winger Shilow Tracey, 17, who spent time on trial with the Blues late last year and featured for the U21s, is expected to join Tottenham following a lengthy spell training with the Premier League club.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

churchmans81 added 21:06 - Jan 4 Forget 2016 or any of the signings in the past 9yrs; personally I'm still trying to get my head around the upsides of signing Ivan Campo in 2007. Anyway, lets recognise that MM and TC have seen the lad in training and can see some potential worth following up. Good luck to him and let's hope he's a great success.
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blueboy1981 added 21:07 - Jan 4 ....... Moncur would be most welcome - good enough to play in the Championship for sure.
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blueboy1981 added 21:07 - Jan 4 ....... Moncur would be most welcome - good enough to play in the Championship for sure.
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blueboy1981 added 21:11 - Jan 4 ..... posted twice so you didn't miss it .... not really ... !! - Would be a good signing tho'.
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VulpineBlue added 21:21 - Jan 4 Having a truly versatile player in any squad gives any team a great advantage allowing, for example, a more surgical substitutes bench. I really hope that it works out for Paul- he's still very young. Good that he sat with the fans at Turf Moor and appears keen on absorbing the ethos of the club.
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southnorfolkblue added 21:50 - Jan 4 Hope he has a great career with us. What nags me is why Barnsley appear happy to let him go. If he isn't good enough for Div 1, why is he going to be good enough for us?
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Cakeman added 22:32 - Jan 4 southnorfolkblue I fully respect and understand your thoughts but sometimes players just need a fresh start to succeed. This will not be a popular following comment but I can recall a certain Grant Holt who was marking time at Shrewsbury and seemingly just plodding along and then Norwich took a gamble on him and although it hurts me to say it, he had a tremendous time at Carrot Road and played a vital part in their promotion to the Premier league. Hopefully Mr Digby can eventually have a similar change of fortune.

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Langdon_Blue added 22:50 - Jan 4 Cakeman, you make a good and accurate point but surely there are other examples to use other than him! How about Jamie Vardy or closer to home Tyrone Mings, some could easily have said how can a player in Non League ever be good enough for the Premier League....or maybe Huddersfield fans could have said why would we sign Jordan Rhodes, it's clear Ipswich don't think he isn't good enough as they want to get rid?!? ;-)

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ozzie added 23:23 - Jan 4 Clark at Pompy is playing well and TBH allowing another possible CB in the ranks can't hurt, if he can fill in the midfield when needed then yes allow him a go ,and let Coke go ,a young lad with hunger for the game will learn from TC and MM , lets just hope he turns a few heads in his few months he has with us. Welcome to Ipswich young'un.
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churchmans81 added 23:28 - Jan 4 See link for today's Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/12080595/Are-Aston-Villa-the-worst-Pre One of the worst 11 Premiership sides ever was John Lyalls relegated ITFC team with 5 of the others managed by MM or Jewell. Bwahahahahaha.
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MedwayTractor added 23:57 - Jan 4 For all those doubting why we've signed a payer who hasn't done much with a lower division club, I see your Tyrone Mings and rasie you a Matt Holland.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 01:14 - Jan 5 From what I can remember, Barnsley fans on a forum I visited seem to think he was rubbish in one (or more?) of the few games he played, and after that he fell out of favour with the manager and was never given the chance to show what he might be able to do. Obviously there might be potential here, but It seems very much a case of a "fresh start" and let's see." I wish him luck, but wonder how many of these fringe players will actually make it as MM regulars (Alabi, Malarczyck, Clark, Yowerth, etc).

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BrettenhamBlue added 04:54 - Jan 5 Can't understand some of the negative comments. Would you rather have Digby on the subs bench for a game or Joke? I think he'll make a great addition to the squad and wish him the best of luck.
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FenboyBlue added 12:04 - Jan 5 "Digby, the tallest defender in the world" Sounds like a film in the making.
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scunnyblue added 13:10 - Jan 6 Funny how just over a week ago MM was saying he had no plans to bring somone in . yet here it says this move has been on the cards for a while. Gotta take everything MM says with a pinch of salt. He clearly has a plan for this transfer window but he ain't telling.
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