Town have confirmed the loan signing of forward Jeremy Sarmiento from Brighton & Hove Albion, following his recall from West Brom earlier this week.

The Blues’ interest in the 21-year-old emerged from Ecuador yesterday morning, Sarmiento having been recalled from his loan spell with the Baggies on New Year’s Day.

But Sarmiento revealed that Town were keen to bring him in in the summer prior to his move to the Hawthorns.

“I’m very excited to be joining Ipswich at a time when they have been on a great run since winning promotion to the Championship,” he told the club site.

“Ipswich were always there, after interest in the summer which didn’t quite work out, but I’m here now and I’m ready to do my best.

“It’s happened quickly and smoothly and I’ve enjoyed my conversations with the manager, which made it clear this is where I should play, so I’m excited to try and show him what I can do and earn minutes in a team which plays a style I think will suit me. 

“I am a direct player and like to get the fans on their feet with a bit of flair, which is a big side to my game, and I can’t wait to get started.”

He says Town and the Seagulls have a similar playing style, which should benefit him: “Brighton thought that this was the right move for me and it just made sense.

"[The teams have] a similar playing style, so it shouldn’t really be a change for me, I should be used to it and I’m just ready.”

Brighton technical director David Weir told his club’s official website: “This is a good move for Jeremy in terms of his development. We wish him every success at Ipswich and we’re looking forward to following his progress in the second half of the season.”

Sarmiento, who according to reports in Ecuador could extend his spell into next season if the Blues are promoted, joined the Seagulls from Benfica in January 2021 after rejecting a contract from the Portuguese side - and reportedly overtures from Bayern Munich and Barcelona - and has made five senior starts and 14 sub appearances for the Premier League club.

The 13-times-capped Ecuador international, who can play in wide roles or as a number 10, joined the Baggies on loan in July having signed a new contract with his parent club which runs to the summer of 2027.

While at the Hawthorns, Sarmiento made seven starts and 14 sub appearances, scoring twice, before Brighton announced his recall due to his lack of action.

Having been born in Madrid, Sarmiento moved to London as a seven-year-old and was with Charlton’s youth set-up before joining Benfica in 2018.

Prior to committing his international career to Ecuador, for whom he qualifies through his parents, Sarmiento won England caps at U16, U17 and U18 levels. He appeared for the South American country as a sub in all three of their games at the World Cup in Qatar last year. 

Sarmiento is Town’s first signing of the January window and also the club's first Ecuadorian player.

Photo: ITFC

Jugsy added 12:05 - Jan 3 Happy New Year, EuropaBlue. Whilst Brighton are a well run club, doesn't mean they won't get some things wrong, like loaning him to West Brom ('wrong' might be a bit strong but clearly they weren't happy with his situation). I'm sure they knew our style of play, but if we're not seeing much of the ball then that's hardly attractive for a player's development (recall the Sunderland game, not the best advert for our style despite the win). There's no crystal balls in football and we've certainly surprised a lot of football experts, is more my point. Tbh, I'd let Omari go back to Chelsea with this signing and look for another. We seem to be better for his development than he is for us. I'm sure people will disagree with me.

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Runner added 12:15 - Jan 3 How about this for a starting 11 against AFC Wimbledon Saturday in the F A Cup: Walton, back 4 of Tuanzebe, Ball, Edmondson, Humphreys, midfield of Taylor & Aluko, wide Hutchinson & Sarmiento, up front Harness & Broadhead. Lots of movement & interchange, 3 nil to ITFC by half time.
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warktheline added 12:30 - Jan 3 @europablue, excellent posts…with plenty of common sense! Top man !
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BourneBlueBoy added 12:48 - Jan 3 I’ve just signed up so I can throw my 2 pennies worth in. I was scouring European leagues looking for appropriate strikers that could fill the role left by injury and I came to Noah Ohio who is currently at Standard Liege. 21 yrs old, was at Man U when KM was there (albeit KM with U18 and NO with U16). Video on YouTube he looks big, fast and strong. Some suggest discipline issues but seems to stem from asking for more playing time (surely hunger is good). Anyway, thought I’d chuck it in here. There are also some interesting French young players such as Isaak Toure at Lorient who is 20 yr old and stands at a cool 6ft’9 and looks solid. Hope they get out there and look far and wide.

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SandyBrown added 12:48 - Jan 3 I thought Hurst was number 27.
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dubblue added 12:51 - Jan 3 Welcome on board Jeremy!! I think it is a positive that his style of football is more suited to Town than WBA says it all about the type of football we are playing right now. Still would like a CF and CB come on board.
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Europablue added 13:06 - Jan 3 SandyBrown It's a 21 on the shirt in the photo.
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Europablue added 13:12 - Jan 3 I don't understand the negativity around Hutchinson. I rate him very highly. He hasn't been that effective recently, but you could say the same for Broadhead and Chaplin. The problem with all players that are new to the league is that after a while the opposition are thinking about how to deal with those players. I think Hutchinson is comfortable playing with certain players, and when other players have to play he doesn't seem to be on the same wavelength. Most offsides at this level are due to miscommunication, so either a mistimed run or a mistimed ball. Clearly all professional players understand the offside rule.

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Len_Brennan added 13:27 - Jan 3 Cashin has the advantage of being left-footed, has a good delivery & is a danger from set plays; but a number of Premier League clubs are interested in him & Brighton juat ran out of time when trying to get him during the summer. Would be a big ask, & even bigger fee, for us to sign him this window.
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Pezzer added 13:38 - Jan 3 If he has the quality to produce a good final ball, something we have been lacking recently, then will be a good addition.
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Reality_2021 added 13:39 - Jan 3 Europablue - I think it’s because Hutchinson can be guilty of overdoing it. Don’t get me wrong there is some skill there, but more often than not he reminds me of Anthony at Man Utd. When/if he gets past his man, the shot or cross just isn’t there unfortunately. On the other hand you have burns who is direct with getting past his man and whipping in a cross or scoring himself. With where we are in the season (which is something beyond remarkable), we need a player who does get past and is more direct. Able to be involved in goals will be so much of an important factor now in the second half of the season. Not sure Hutchinson is quite that at this stage of his career - can we afford not to have a better player with our current injury issue with Hirst? Who knows.

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Jugsy added 13:54 - Jan 3 I'm with you, Reality_2021 - we're better for Omari than he is for us. And that's not me discrediting him, Europablue. He needs game time and opportunities to gather experience but that's not what we need of someone at the moment. I'm thinking someone like Rak-Sakyi (who I believe we were after) is the kind of player, whereby they've already have first XI experience and ready to step-up from a season in League One. Omari is only 18, first time away on loan and like Reality_2021 points out, is prone to poor decision making. And that's ok for his level of experience, I just think we need a bit more if we're to kick on.

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Marinersnose added 13:58 - Jan 3 Welcome aboard the McKenna train. He ticks lots of boxes as he can play wide and as a number 10 which will afford McKenna flexibility when selecting his team. He’s young and hungry just what the fans want to see. Another Hutchinson, I hope so as he’s also developing into a top player. A central defender, wing back , and a couple of strikers would give the team a much needed boost after a tough and frantic December

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Europablue added 14:13 - Jan 3 Reality_2021 and Jugsy Thanks for giving some more details about your position. I appreciate your points. I think Hutchinson has improved in the distribution and I see a major improvement in his game under KM from preseason in which he never passed or held onto the ball too long. He doesn't seem to be making good passes recently. I really like Hutchinson because I can tell that he is listening to KM and actively trying to improve and isn't a cocky talented kid who demands game time without earning it. I have to bring up Williams if we are going to talk about players who don't know when to pass. He was a complete liability when he played last. I imagine he is just trying too hard, but holding onto the ball too long and losing the ball or playing overambitious passes kills all attacking momentum. I hope everything is ok with him, because it seems like something has changed. I couldn't see a way back for Clarke, that was how well Williams was playing. Unfortunately, we have to be comfortable with having a lot of loans in the side because almost all the quality players have been sucked up by the Premier League academies. It does feel frustrating to either get a player back to fitness or ready to play at a higher level only for the parent club to recall the player like Tottenham did with Scarlett or how Brighton did with Sarmiento.

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Ipswichbusiness added 14:26 - Jan 3 It was said before the window that we had some room within FFP for signings. All we have done since then is to swop Scarlett for Scarmiento, so we should still have some room. Obviously, it will be difficult to compete with the parachute clubs for players.
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gosblue added 15:12 - Jan 3 This kid can come on for Davis or Burns. Hutchinson did well on the left at Stoke but he couldn’t cross with his left foot. It looks like Sarmiento can cross with either foot. This looks like an exciting signing.
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wischip added 15:31 - Jan 3 About time we had a tricky winger from the Americas again. Nice move. WBA must be a bit annoyed.
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Ipswichbusiness added 17:05 - Jan 3 Has anyone watched the Blue Monday podcast on potent centre forward targets? It is very interesting, but none of the names mentioned really appealed to me. There was one name that occurred to me that they didn’t mention; Josh Sargent (Norwich). He is 23 and 6 foot 1 tall, he has Championship experience scoring goals in a poor He is quick and powerful. Would Norwich sell? They have large debts, a high cost base and diminishing parachute payments. According to TNC podcast, the Norwich hierarchy has given up on this season.

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Jugsy added 17:06 - Jan 3 Europablue - thanks for your thoughts too. Totally agree on Williams, just had the same chat with my old man. He's coming across as if he's got an attitude problem, very quick to shout at team mates but not delivering himself. Your assessment is spot on with him. I don't have an issue with loans as long as they have to be relative to our needs. Unfortunately I don't have confidence in Omari for that - maybe I'll be proven wrong!

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Nomore4 added 19:26 - Jan 3 Europablue…..What makes you so sure nobody tipped us to finish top 2? I for 1 did, and suspect many others did when 20/1 was being offered last June/July.
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SussexTractor added 19:33 - Jan 3 He is a great prospect and will suit our style of play. We still need a No 9 however to replace Hirst.
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atty added 19:49 - Jan 3 I’m wondering whether Harness could be on his way, hence this signing. Or maybe Hutchinson back to Chelsea?
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Saxonblue74 added 19:54 - Jan 3 Ipswichbusiness, I have to confess that's a name that crossed my mind. It almost certainly won't happen, but I wouldn't be against it!
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maninashed added 20:33 - Jan 3 What about Szmodics as he appears to know where the net is. Blackburn are unlikely to make the playoffs or get relegated so they might sell.
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BurleysGloryDays added 20:49 - Jan 3 I’m a real omari fan and think he’s been unlucky not to play more recently, super player and project and certainly scares oppo defenders. KMK is all about collecting diverse weaponry and omari has unique attributes, long may he stay
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