TOMASZ Kuszczak has revealed he opted for Brighton over Ipswich after following his heart.

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The former Manchester United man last night completed a two-year deal for Town’s divisional rivals – and deliver a sucker punch to Paul Jewell who had identified the 30-year-old Polish international as his number one goalkeeping target.

But the Ipswich boss will have to look elsewhere in his bid to challenge Arran Lee-Barrett after Kuszczak admitted the brand of football played by Gus Poyet’s men was a big factor in his decision.

The keeper, who also had interest from abroad, told the Seagulls’ website: “I have played Premier League football for eight years, with West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United, and I believe the structure is in place here to join them.

“The manager and coaching staff, the team, stadium, crowds, through to the plans for the new training ground, everything is geared up for playing at the highest level and I could sense that ambition to be a top club straight away.

“Also when I played against Brighton last season, while on loan at Watford, I was very impressed with the way the team played - it was totally different to the rest of the Championship and more like what I was used to at Manchester United.

“This team likes to pass the ball, they like to create, they are attractive to watch. The way Brighton play is the future of football. I had other clubs who wanted to sign me but my heart told me that this was the right choice.”

Kuszczak was on loan at Watford last season – where he kept out another potential Town target Scott Loach – and has predicted another tight Championship season.

He explained: “I found the division to be a close one - there’s not a great deal between many of the teams. I’m sure it will be another tough season with plenty of clubs hoping for promotion.

“The Premier League is where I want to be again and I believe I can get there with Brighton. This club is heading in only one direction, and I want to play my part in helping us get there.”

16 comments

  • I fail to see how Kuszcak couid chose BHA over Town unless both made him an offer..and as far as I have read Ipswich haven't even talked to the player. Personally I think the greatest priority for the club is a centre half and , despite Ipswich being the fifth highest scoring team in the Championsip last season , (so it's said) a tall ball holding striker to play with and bring Chopra into positive action more. I note also that sixty-five percent of Town fans expect the club to finish half way or lower in the league.

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    colin mayes

    Thursday, June 21, 2012

  • I agree with some posters who claim that this 'target' was EADT generated and not Jewell's idea. However, it suits the clubs agenda for Jewell to claim, before the end of last season, that he had identified targets to sign in the close season since it boosted season ticket sales to the gullible.

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    Brian Betts

    Thursday, June 21, 2012

  • Sound decision on his part. I said after the Brighton visit last season that ITFC were not beaten on the pitch but on the touchline. Poyet out thought Jewell and proved far more tactically aware in that game. Unfortunately I would have made the same decision if I had been in Kuszczaks shoes.

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    SussexTractorBoy

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • Nice one Bristan...he had a great game Tuesday night!

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    Deg

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • two dreadful managers and a clueless CEO have left this club far from the top of players lists to join , as has been proven yet again in this close season , one injured right back , so far secured , jewel should have been sacked and we may well have found a aquiring players alot easier.

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    KEVIN FRANCIS

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • Misprint in your headline? Shouldn't it be not play football but pay footballers?

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    JOHN BURLS

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • Poyet , has a great presence on the touchline. He gets his players so motivated. DiCanio is of the same breed. Both these managers are so organised, they have systems in place where every player knows what the other one is going to do. Also the Brighton ground is a work of art . Ipswich like Colchester have managers that are not worth a sixpence.

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    honeysucker

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • I have supported ITFC longer enough to remember many players turning other clubs down to join ITFC for the same reason,for footballing reasons, shame

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    richard procter

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • Speaks volumes regrettably. Decent ambition from our Club perhaps, but who wants to come here having regard to the mediocre football we have served up since Keane and the way the Club has been run since administration. Just looking at whwich Clubs we are losing out to now says something about the regard with which ITFC is now held by others

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    Ewan Dodds

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • I have heard from a reliable source that we are after an international keeper called Andriy Pyatov. So that's sorted our our keeping problem.

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    bristan

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • Quite agree Frank. Always suspicious of these stories, money is more often at the bottom of it. Perhaps I am becoming too cynical

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    Rex Ide

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • Totally agree with Kevin and also Frank!!!! There are some excellent players coming through in our own Academy especially U-12, U-13's. Roll on 20182019......2020 !!!!!!!

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    Brian Wren

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • Says it all, really. That was once the very reason that players chose The Town ahead of rival and often bigger clubs.

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    Mike Wyatt

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • Kevin Bailey... I am sure Ipswich still looks moderately more attractive than playing 3rd, 4th division football - or even most of Scotland.... as Frank Weston says, if only the club would scout for talent rather than shop for rejects in the bargain basement then the club might move on rather than continue backwards

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    Rob Steroo

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • I agree with him entirely, and said we should go for Poyet and Tarrico when Keane was sacked too early. Brighton have an excellent academy as well, and we are nowhere near as attractive. Like Joel Ward, he has made the right choice, and eventually the penny will drop with some on here, that whilst ITFC are special to us, as supporters, to others, we are a very, very mediocre has been club, going nowhere fast, and Brighton are light years ahead of us. When Keane tried to make the club more professional, the players couldn't handle it, and rather than back him, the two that run the club backed mediocrity. Says all you need to know. Nice turnstiles though, and that is a top priority for Clegg, when he is not dealing with Guam related matters.

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    Kevin Bailey

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  • In truth I have never been a big fan of Kuszcak but because he was going on a free I did not object to a move for him in principle. Thankfully there are better keepers around in the lower leagues if we have the forsight to scout around.

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    FRANK WESTON

    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

1980-81 The greatest season in Ipswich Town's history. Pre-order your copy here - only £19.81

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