Blues target Brandon Williams travelled to Suffolk last night with the left-back’s loan move from Manchester United expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours.

We understand the 22-year-old stayed overnight in Ipswich and will continue talks and undergo a medical at Town today ahead of the completion of the season-long switch, which is understood to include an option to buy.

Confirmation of that deal will see Blues left-back Greg Leigh join Oxford United on a permanent basis with the League One U’s believed to be paying a small fee for the 28-year-old Jamaica international.

Williams, who will become the club's fifth senior signing of the summer, came through the academy at Old Trafford, where Blues boss Kieran McKenna worked with him, and has made 30 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, scoring one goal, including 13 Premier League starts, the most recent in 2020/21.

Last season, Williams made one senior appearance for United, as a late sub in a Carabao Cup victory over Burnley and he is yet to have any involvement this season.

Manchester-born Williams, who although right-footed prefers to play on the left, spent the 2012/22 season on loan at Norwich City during their Premier League relegation season, making 25 starts and four sub appearances.

The stint at Carrow Road ended unhappily when he was abused by a group of Canaries supporters who had waited for him outside the ground following his final game, a 4-0 home defeat by West Ham.

Williams subsequently posted posted a photo of his dog, apparently as a warning, and a middle finger gesture on social media before later removing the posts and issuing a more conciliatory statement.

The 5ft 7in tall defender, whose cousin is Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Zelfa Barrett, is contracted to United until next summer with the club having an option for a further season.

Saturday's opponents Leeds United were recently credited with interest in the full-back, who was spotted at Town’s opening fixture of the season at Sunderland.

Set-to-depart Leigh joined Town in the summer of 2022 after leaving Morecambe and has been an important and popular member of the squad, although with his league starts limited to only four due to the form of Leif Davis.

In addition to those four League One starts, Leigh has made 12 sub appearances and six cup starts, scoring one goal.

Photo: Sipa USA

Dissboyitfc added 09:29 - Aug 24 Excellent news! Although sad to see Greg Leigh leave, but that’s football!
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IPSWICHMOUSE added 09:35 - Aug 24 Great loan signing & we will end up buying him i think. Young , Kmc knows him well ,played in the Prem , so nothing to fear for this lad. COYB...ITID..
5

Bluearmy_81 added 09:36 - Aug 24 He’s reported on £65k a week with United, I wonder how much of that we’ll be paying this season? Regardless, very happy at the quality of the players we’re now signing. Players like Hawkins and Drinan should never, ever have put on the blue of Ipswich Town. What a turnaround!!
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NITFC added 09:36 - Aug 24 Surely just back up for Leif?
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iaintaylorx added 09:46 - Aug 24 The more I think about this signing, the more I get excited. Definitely paves the way for Leigh to Oxford which is a shame, but he is good cover for Davis, and without being disrespectful to Leigh he is better cover with an abundance of Premier League experience compared to our current squad. He will push Harry Clarke on too at right back, but also will push Burns on and maybe McKenna might see him as an RWB and play a back 5. Plenty if positional cover and a very good player! COYB!

7

PhuketPete added 09:52 - Aug 24 He may start as backup but I reckon if things work out, that he’d become first choice LB, allowing Leif to move into midfield left side role in front of Williams. Remember KM had Leif playing further up in pre season. This would be a Left side equivalent of Wes in front of Harry. But with KMc.. master strategist and tactician - who knows !!
3

PhuketPete added 09:52 - Aug 24 He may start as backup but I reckon if things work out, that he’d become first choice LB, allowing Leif to move into midfield left side role in front of Williams. Remember KM had Leif playing further up in pre season. This would be a Left side equivalent of Wes in front of Harry. But with KMc.. master strategist and tactician - who knows !!
1

hoppy added 09:57 - Aug 24 The middle finger gesture is the one that really upset the Norwich family, as they, of course, don’t have a ‘middle’ finger with having 6 digits on each hand…
31

BobbyBell added 09:59 - Aug 24 With the new extensive injury times we could well see him and Leif sharing the role. What a subs bench we have these days!!
5

Stu_boy added 10:03 - Aug 24 Hopefully, he'll net the winner against that lot
7

MickMillsTash added 10:05 - Aug 24 I looked at our bench on Saturday and thought who is going to come off it and change the game. The Peterborough player looks decent but Im not betting much of the MMTash family inheritance on Harness or Jackson at this level.
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ArnieM added 10:06 - Aug 24 Welcome Brandon…. You’re a Cult hero already my friend.
3

Ipswich1977 added 10:07 - Aug 24 Really sad to see Greg Leigh go. When he has played he has always done so well. Never knew that about the situation with the fans at Norwich. This will make it all the more better for us fans when we play them!
11

chepstowblue added 10:28 - Aug 24 It's a strange one for me. A young man(with obviously a bit of attitude and ego) who won't fancy being on the bench in the championship, but who is unlikely to oust Davis. Very saddened to see Greg Leigh departing as he was a more than adequate replacement. I'm glad that he's realised that he's too good to be sat on his ass every week, and Oxford could be a very good marriage for him. I'm reserving judgment on this episode but can't say I'm ecstatic.

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blues1 added 10:46 - Aug 24 What I dont get about this, is its,supposedly a season long loan, with an option to buy? But hes out of contract next summer, so would be available on a free?
1

Marinersnose added 10:47 - Aug 24 Being a right footed player who prefers to play on the left I wonder whether KMK May utilise him on the right if Clarke has a dodgy Achilles. This would allow him to get that fixed. A fantastic addition of quality and an upgrade for sure. Leigh has done a good job as backup. Davis is probably our most saleable asset who will be turning heads in the PL. He is a top performer on a consistent basis and has made the step up comfortably

2

John_Grose added 11:06 - Aug 24 At first I wasn't excited by this as he doesn't seem any better than Leif so why move here to be on bench. However he could be a great asset if he can cover LB, RB, LWB and maybe RWB positions and therefore have an opportunity to force himself into first 11 in one of those places so undoubtedly strengthens the squad. Welcome (hopefully) Brandon!
2

Dissboyitfc added 11:07 - Aug 24 Just a thought, but out of east anglia Suffolk and Norfolk folk are considered similar, of course we are very different but I wonder if it crossed his mind that we will be the same as the Norwich idiots!
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 11:09 - Aug 24 K McK knows exactly what he want from his players, attitude and desire coupled with potential. I suspect we only take on loans now with the view to buying if they fit.
1

Gforce added 11:11 - Aug 24 Who will take over as the clubs new crooner,good ol Greg had an excellent voice !!
5

Orraman added 11:12 - Aug 24 Like many others sorry to see Leigh move on but he does need more game time which he will get at Oxford. However with Williams we are getting not only an upgrade but the possibility of several options as he is clearly comfortable on right or left side of field. Will put pressure on Davis, Clarke and Burns. KM clearly knows him well and with his master tactician brain will ensure that Williams’ adaptability will be utilised to surprise and outfox opponents game by game.

6

philpott2 added 11:18 - Aug 24 KM and MA do seem to have their heads screwed on. Although Williams is rumoured to have had an attitude problem in the past, McKenna would know all about him and whether he can work with hom and set him straight. He's of an age now where he should be looking to play more first team football, and as back-up to both sides (as a full-back) would make sense all around. Clarke is still looking a bit too hot-headed for me, not quite a full-back nor a centre-back, and has had a few injuries already. One thing I've not read in the comments over the last few days, is that maybe Leigh has ambitions to play more international football....I think he played a handful of times last year for Jamaica. More playing time at club level may allow that to happen, and maybe missing for chunks of the season isn't what ITFC want of him when he counts towards the counting 25 in the squad.

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buckleshamblue60 added 11:20 - Aug 24 Brandon Williams is a Blue, is a Blue. Brandon Williams is a Blue...
2

Runner added 11:22 - Aug 24 Good clear long term strategy of getting low 20 year olds in & moving out high 20 year old out.
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Runner added 11:24 - Aug 24 blues1: one year left on contract with MU having option to add one year, enabling MU to get a fee.
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