Scott Loach
Ipswich Town to sign Scott Loach today for just £150,000
By Dave Gooderham
Thursday, July 19, 2012
7:26 AM
SCOTT Loach is back where he belongs – and the Blues have got him for a bargain.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper last night completed his medical and will today seal his dream move to Ipswich Town for a cut-price fee of around £150,000 ending Paul Jewell’s summer-long search for a new stopper.
While Town fans were delighted with the capture, their emotions were shared by Loach who longed to return to Portman Road having spent four years in the club’s academy.
A source close to Loach said: “It is a dream come true for Scott and the support he has already been shown by Town fans is unreal. He is really excited.”
The former England Under-21 international, who has made more than 160 starts for Watford in his six years at Vicarage Road, was left out of the Hornets’ pre-season friendly against Boreham Wood on Tuesday after the two clubs agreed a fee.
And while reports surfaced yesterday that Blackburn Rovers were tabling a late bid, Loach had his heart set on joining the team he supported from childhood.
While his career at Watford stalled in the last season, and new boss Gianfranco Zola was happy to sanction the sale on the cheap, Loach has been one of the most highly-rated keepers outside the Premier League in recent years.
He was called up to the full England squad twice in 2010 – a year after Tottenham were linked with a move for him.
He becomes Jewell’s third summer signing after Elliott Hewitt and Luke Chambers with Jewell now setting his sights on landing a striker and two more new faces before next month’s Championship kick-off.
Having only spent £300,000 on fees to date, the manager might also have a slightly bigger purse to go after his next targets.
Loach’s arrival comes amid speculation that he could be joined by Richard Wright with the former Town keeper lined up for a fourth spell at the club – as part of Bryan Klug’s new-look academy coaching staff.
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10 comments
On the assumption Scott signs, which looks extremely likely, that is good, although I would have kept Cropper. Should Richard Wright join the academy as coach, that would allow him to be third choice keeper, as well as having an under 21 keeper. So, I am pleased with Loach, and actually would have signed him ahead of any others mentioned, as he is a town fan, and will truly care. The best keeper since Davies had that fine season, and we really needed him in now, so that he gets time to work with the defence in pre-season. In my view we still need a striker, and another centre-back. We could also do with midfield cover.
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Kevin Bailey
Thursday, July 19, 2012
This is good news as he spent formative years in Ipswich - went through academy & expressed a desire to play for ITFC - just what we need. That's why I was so annoyed that Hyam - a Northgate shcoolboy who only wanted to play for his hometown club was dropped in favour of Leadbitter - & kept out of the team by him even after it was obvious GL was not going to stay at the club - & to cap it all only offered a derisory one year contract !!!!!!!! However Jewell seems to have abandoned his Dads Army philosophy & is signing younger players + of course bringing Bryan Klug back to the academy - if this really is a sign of things to come - then maybe after all there is some hope that Jewell could be a success at Ipswich. I'm not convinced but these are steps in the right direction & as such should be applauded.
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Old Timer
Thursday, July 19, 2012
For goodness sake, just ignore Steroo - he only posts incessantly negative comments because he likes the attention, so don't give it to him. Let's give the lad a chance before we judge him - he obviously loves the club, which is saying more than some posters on this board.
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Tom
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Perfect signing - low fee, wants to play for us, obvious first choice (and not the "unwanted reserve" suggested below). Always been impressive when he's played against us too.
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Andrew Mehen
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Boring Boring Steroo!
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Rob Bill
Thursday, July 19, 2012
He's got all the right skills and qualifications, must just be given suitable encouragement from our coaches and manager. He will I am sure have the enthusiasm.
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JOHN BURLS
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Very promising. I will celebrate when the paper if signed. Rob, the reason for him being let go is due to the revolution about to happen at V Road, lots of overrated Italians on too much money (already linked to Del Piero). Maybe, as you frequently request, we look to sign a player under 30, not in rediculous wages, not for a rediculous amount of money and not on loan. Maybe we should try and find a player who actually wants to play for the club and isn't look to increase his pension pot. Hang on, we are, anyone would think you were a wind up merchant
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Blue Exile
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Rob, is it so hard to live with, you will have more egg in your face as yet.
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Cyril Baker
Thursday, July 19, 2012
NIce spin but perhaps the reality that Watford are discarding an unwanted reserve ought to be part of your glowing review
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Rob Steroo
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The reason he is so cheap is that Watford are still laughing at how much we paid for Priskin. Really hope it works out for him though as we need someone we can rely on for the long term.
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deanoitfc
Thursday, July 19, 2012