Preston North End have confirmed the signing of released Blues keeper Michael Crowe on a two-year deal from July 1st after his Town contract officially expires.

The former Wales U21 international, who was called up to the senior squad by Ryan Giggs in March without winning a cap, left the Blues at the end of the season after six years at Portman Road.

The Lilywhites are reported to have beaten Premier League new boys Cardiff to Crowe's signature.

Crowe joined the Town academy from IK Start in Norway, the country in which he grew up having been born in London.

The 22-year-old was on the bench for the Blues first team on 47 occasions but without ever making his senior debut.

“I am super excited to be here,” he told Preston's official site. “Things have happened quickly. I was a bit nervous at the start of the summer that it might take a bit of time to get things finalised, but the club have come in and been good and everything has gone smoothly, so I am looking forward to getting going.

“The Championship is one of the hardest leagues in the world. There are a lot of games, a lot of tough games where it is so evenly matched, but hopefully we can push on this season, really step up and hopefully at least get into the play-offs.

“I am looking forward to getting into the dressing room. I have been at Ipswich for a long time, so I am ready for the new challenge and meeting new people. All the staff have been very welcoming and I can’t wait to get started in pre-season.”

Crowe is likely to start 2018/19 behind Declan Rudd and fellow Wales hopeful Chris Maxwell in the goalkeeping pecking order at Deepdale.

Photo: TWTD

thundercat600 added 15:37 - Jun 6 Not good enough for Ipswich a Championship team but Cardiff a Premier League team wanted him, says a lot does it not
0

12th_Man added 15:39 - Jun 6 Was never going to get ahead of Bart or Deano so needed to move on
1

FarnboroBlue added 15:46 - Jun 6 Don't know thundercat600, does it? Depends on relative strengths and weaknesses for the particular position I would have thought?
5

OwainG1992 added 15:56 - Jun 6 I really don't mind that he's gone. Bart is #1. Dean a solid #2.
0

MoscowBlueMule added 15:58 - Jun 6 According to the article, looks like he's going to be 2nd if not 3rd choice at Preston and at Cardiff would have been probably closer to 4th! So not sure I understand your point here Thundercat. (Thats if Cardiff were even in for him??!!) If there is a gripe and it's small one, i hope Hurst had a say (albeit off record as his release happened before his appointment if I'm not mistaken) Wish the Lad all the best.

5

Mark added 16:06 - Jun 6 He is going to be third choice?! I wonder why he did not drop down a couple of leagues to get first team football.
5

Bluebell added 16:18 - Jun 6 Only hope Bart doesn't go now. We really need him to sign that contract. Good luck to the lad.
0

tractorboybig added 16:21 - Jun 6 Bart will be a number 1 next seson but for whom?
1

rodthegasman added 16:22 - Jun 6 lets hope bart is not moving on,not signed new contract yet..i wander why.???????
0

Europablue added 16:31 - Jun 6 A premier league team wanting a third choice keeper is way different from a no 1. Third choice keepers either have to be young, arrogant, or sell outs
0

TheTrueBlue1878 added 16:46 - Jun 6 I think Klug has seen enough over the past 3 years to make judgement. Actually believe these clubs are judging off the fact that a young goalkeeper who has recently been called up to Wales international duty has been released. But doesn't really reflect the truth about Michael Crowe
0

jas0999 added 17:01 - Jun 6 All this hype over Gerken. Surely Crowe was a better option than him? Injury prone. Can't control his area. Prone to a howler. I'd have kept Crowe, particularly If Bart is sold. Agree however that Klug knows more than us. But in event Bart moves on, Gerwen is most certainly not the answer.
5

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:15 - Jun 6 If Bart goes we wi replace. Crowe was never going to step into thise gloves not for some time so it makes not a jot if Crowe is here or not
1

Monkey_Blue added 17:20 - Jun 6 He wasn't stand out so I suspect 3rd choice at Preston is why we let him go. Bart will be first choice unless he's sold and we would go and buy a ready made first choice keeper
0

therein61 added 17:32 - Jun 6 The young man has left the club, and while I agree that coaches etc know more than us I would have liked to see him given an opportunity to see if he could make a name for himself here but for reasons within he has not so now we have an excellent first choice and an injury prone shaky no/2.
2

CanadianBlue added 21:15 - Jun 6 Good luck to the lad. He's been signed as U23 goalkeeper by Preston, as Cardiff also wanted. Think it's time people stop thinking all of our released players are going to be the Messiah!
1

blueboy1981 added 23:12 - Jun 6 People have short memories - amazing how Gerken now becomes a good keeper in the minds of some. Simply not up to it - Crowe was a fer more promising, and better option.
1

Steelmonkey added 14:40 - Jun 7 The next Nick Pope?
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls