Town have confirmed the signing of Everton forward Nathan Broadhead on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The Blues are understood to have paid £1.5 million for the 24-year-old, the highest fee under Kieran McKenna’s management and since the takeover almost two years ago.

News of Town’s interest in Broadhead, who was on loan at Wigan Athletic until being recalled on Friday, first emerged last week via the local Sunderland media, the Black Cats having also made an offer for their former loan player during this window but not one which was accepted by the Toffeemen.

The former Wales U17, U19, U20 and U21 international watched Saturday’s 4-1 FA Cup victory over Rotherham but with discussions regarding his move continuing over the weekend.

He returned to the club this afternoon to complete the formalities relating to his switch, signing a contract which runs until the summer of 2026.

“I want to help this team get promoted and score goals in the process,” Broadhead told iFollow Ipswich.

“Looking at it from the outside, it’s clear that Kieran McKenna has the team playing some really good football and that’s something that made me want to come here. Under him the team is going places and I will work hard to help.

“I’ve played at Portman Road as an opposition player [last season's 1-1 draw with Sunderland] and it was a hostile place playing for the other team — it was one of the toughest games of my career so far and was very intense. I’m looking forward to being part of it this time in front of the fans.”

McKenna added: “He really fits the profile of what we want to bring to the club and where we want to go.

“He’s a young, talented player physically and technically. He’s very gifted and fits into our playing style very well.

“He’s also at a stage of his career where he feels like it’s time to find a permanent home for his football.

“He’s come to a progressive team and a progressive club. We want to play a certain style of football and will give him opportunities to showcase what he can do.”

Broadhead, who has received two senior Wales call-ups but is yet to make his full international debut, was a youth player with hometown side Bangor City and Wrexham before joining Everton’s academy aged 10.

The 5ft 10in tall frontman has made two senior sub appearances for Everton but has spent most of the last few seasons out on loan.

In 2019/20 he was with Burton, scoring three times in 15 starts and seven sub appearances, then in 2021/22 was with Sunderland, netting 13 goals in 20 starts and seven games from the bench.

Broadhead, who will wear the Town number 33 shirt, had been due to remain with the Latics until the end of the season having scored five goals in 11 starts and 11 sub appearances.

The Blues have now made three signings during the January transfer window following the loan addition of Hirst yesterday and Massimo Luongo’s return on a short-term deal at the end of last week.

Photo: ITFC

blues1 added 20:59 - Jan 10 Nomore 4. No, he'd have had to be 20 on the 1st jan, thus now 21. The rule is u21, not u22.
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Nomore4 added 21:09 - Jan 10 Blues1 his birthday was 3 days ago, which probably confused you. He's registered as an U21 for the duration of the 22/23 season.
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Nomore4 added 21:14 - Jan 10 Blues 1 you clearly have no idea how age groups work in football. John Jules is registered for the 22/23 season as u21. He's 22 in a few weeks time.
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Nomore4 added 21:21 - Jan 10 It's very simple blues1. Search EFL registered players season 22/23. This shows each clubs squad players and squad U21. Whittaker is registered for the 22/23 season by Swansea as a squad u21 with the EFL.
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blues1 added 21:24 - Jan 10 Nomore4. But John jules was was only 20 on Jan 1st 2022. So as he signed for us in 2022 he qualfied as u 21. Work it out for urself. And I know very well how age groups work in football. I've been involved in local football for almost 40 years. So an very aware of age groups.
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blues1 added 21:41 - Jan 10 Nomore4. I think in a way we may both be right on this. Or wrong. I've been looking at it from the point of view that bcse we would be signing g him in 2023, when he clearly over the u21 age limit. But, as I've used the scenario around John jules, if that stands for the whole of this,season, regardless of when he signs, then yes, he would still qualify. Which would be great, as would allow us to sign 1 more and only have to deregister ball and camara. Let's hope that's the case then.

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Nomore4 added 21:47 - Jan 10 Blues your confusing yourself….. John Jules was 20. Whittaker was 20. 1st Jan 2022. They was both 21 1st Jan 2023. The cut off point. They are both registered for the entire 22/23 season as U21. This can't be changed mid season. They both finish this season as 22 years old. Both started season 21 yrs old. You have to be max age 21 on 1st Jan 2023. And both was hence U21,s for season 22/23 duration. I Don't need to work anything out it's on official EFL squad register.

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Nomore4 added 22:18 - Jan 10 Although strangely Plymouth registered Whittaker as part of the 22. Maybe not as many players to contend with as us.?
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churchmans added 23:43 - Jan 10 Has anybody read comments from Sunderland fans about broadhead???
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blues1 added 09:20 - Jan 11 Churchmans. Yes. But take them with a pinch of salt. Strange isn't it, they loved him last season when he playing for them. Now they're slating him. Doesnt that tell you all u need to know.
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blues1 added 09:21 - Jan 11 Nomore4. Yes, was confusing myself. It's what happens sometimes when ur my age.
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