New permanent signing George Hirst says he was immediately made to feel at home by everyone at Town when he joined on loan in January and that was a key factor in his return, the 24-year-old striker having signed a four-year deal after moving from Leicester earlier today.

Hirst enjoyed a hugely successful spell in the second half of last season as the Blues won promotion from League One and made no secret of how much he had enjoyed his time at Portman Road.

We understand the striker didn’t consider moving anywhere else when it came to addressing his future this summer.

“Something which was massive for me was that I got that feeling of being at home here and it was probably a feeling I’d not had anywhere else,” he told the club’s in-house media having penned the deal which will tie him to Town until the summer of 2027.

“For me it was, I’m 24 now, [I need] that little bit of stability and really go and find a home and really put the work in from there.

“It was the reception I got from the fans, the players, the staff, everyone here in the last few months, it was massive to come back and I wanted to make it a permanent move.”

Hirst says he kept in contact with plenty of last season’s teammates over the summer having felt a togetherness and a connection at Portman Road which he hadn’t in his previous spells elsewhere.

“It’s just a changing room full of doughnuts, I guess!” he said when asked how he settled so quickly in January. “The boys, from the get-go, literally from the first day were nothing short of brilliant with me.

“The staff, everyone just made me feel at home. It’s not one little thing that I can pinpoint, it was just collection of everything, which was probably something that I’d not had previously.

“There was always that something missing, whereas I found myself here and I didn’t have that feeling, there was never anything missing and it just went from strength to strength, really.

“I play a lot of golf with the lads and things like that and you start to form friendships. And that’s what I believe I did form, I formed friendships and to be able to come back and reunite with the boys and get myself in amongst it with this changing room is an amazing feeling.”

Photo: Matchday Images

the_toff added 13:03 - Jul 13 Great to have him back, such an impressive loan spell from him last season. Not just his goals but the work rate, movement, link up play etc. A perfect number 9 in our system and it'll be interesting to see how he handles the Championship.
16

Bazza8564 added 13:04 - Jul 13 Great to have GH back, he knows the players, the system and the fitness requirements, and the fans!
9

Suffolkboy added 13:12 - Jul 13 This comes from a genuine experience at and with ITFC ,it's Management , Players and Coaches ; it speaks worlds of which we as supporters should be inordinately proud ! GH looks an intelligent footballer of considerable talent and plenty wiling to learn ; go for it this season ,do well ! COYB
16

paris_mitchell_in_oz added 13:27 - Jul 13 Haha. The lad can't wipe the smile off his face, and why would he? Great to see. Great that he's here.
9

pennblue added 13:39 - Jul 13 We know our football here George, we know you can do it in the Championship, we have no doubts, and the goal is to get back into Europe.
6

PositivelyPortman added 13:55 - Jul 13 So pleased for both him and the club. He really showed some class when he joined us last season, both on and off the pitch.
8

PositivelyPortman added 13:55 - Jul 13 So pleased for both him and the club. He really showed some class when he joined us last season, both on and off the pitch.
0

Josh271092 added 13:56 - Jul 13 Because you're GeorrrrrgeHirst, I'd do anything for you!
4

BurleysGloryDays added 14:09 - Jul 13 Welcome Home, Hirsty! That goal against Barnsley. That goal against Derby. Already written your opening chapter in our history, keep it going! Wonderful signing!
6

AustriaBlue added 14:22 - Jul 13 Great (re) signing. Welcome home. Now, when he gets his first weeks pay packet, I suggest he books himself into a barber who knows how to do a proper short back and sides.
2

Karlosfandangal added 14:23 - Jul 13 Again not linked to signing him Yet here he is …….was Simm really a £4 million target. Excellent signing and I fully agree with BurleysGloyDays
4

IpswichT62OldBoy added 14:44 - Jul 13 I have been hoping for this
4

WhoisJimmyJuan added 16:28 - Jul 13 Not the first newbie to talk about the atmosphere and collective spirit here. Really has to be a very positive sign. Everyone at the club wants to play. Anyone who isn't part of it is politely shown the door.
3

therein61 added 17:46 - Jul 13 Welcome back young man it's great to have you in the building again, Well done Town for getting him back the togetherness this squad has convinced him that his future is in a Town shirt.
2

ITFC_Singapore added 18:24 - Jul 13 Welcome home GH !
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troyparrotsleftear added 20:51 - Jul 13 Glad you are here i hope you can give piggot a lift as he has been forgotten since you departed. Maybe a meet up down the waterfront would be just what the doctor ordered
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86wsblue added 22:46 - Jul 13 Sounds like yet another player who has fallen in love with the club and county,so many players settle here after their career and its a testament to the ancient realm of suffolk
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:21 - Jul 14 the ''togetherness'' was very evident last season , obviously instilled by KM, and i think its one of the aspects Mark Ashton looks at when signing players, We dont have or need a player that is disruptive or self centred , we have had one or two of that ilk over the years and it never bodes well. Welcome back George. COYB
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oldelsworthyfan added 12:19 - Jul 14 Excellent move George, not only for us but also for you. You will shine here!
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wedgieblue added 20:47 - Jul 14 In January I was a sceptic, however over the course of the next 5 months I became a believer…. He's in the right place to continue to improve and write his name in the record books.. So happy for everyone…!! Georgie, you're home now, the fans have taken you to their hearts and you haven't disappointed. Long may it continue. Onward and Upward…!!!
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