Ipswich Town
Young French midfielder close to joining Ipswich Town
By Dave Gooderham
Friday, June 8, 2012
6:55 PM
PAUL Jewell is closing in on his second signing of the summer – thanks to departing defender Ibrahima Sonko.
Young French-Guinean midfielder Cheick Kourouma is set to follow in the footsteps of fellow youngster Elliott Hewitt and sign for the Blues, subject to a medical.
Kourouma, 19, currently with Genoa Under-20s, impressed Jewell during a trial at the end of the season and is set to put pen to paper in the next week or two.
The deal was struck up thanks in part to Sonko who recommended a number of African players to the Ipswich manager before he was told he would not be offered a new deal.
Kourouma, described as a powerful box-to-box midfielder, was the first to visit Suffolk for a trial but not the last – with another of Sonko’s tip-offs expected to try and impress the Blues boss over the summer.
A source close to the defender said: “Sonks loved Ipswich and he was sad to leave. Before he was told the news, he wanted to offer Chiek to Paul Jewell as he thought he could be a good player for Ipswich.”
Kourouma was on the books of the Sochauex academy in France before moving to Italy, but he is being released by the cash-strapped Serie A club allowing him to join Ipswich for a nominal fee.
While his inexperience might mean he will initially have to be content with a place on the fringes of Jewell’s first team, the Ipswich manager saw enough during the short trial to offer him a deal.
He continues Jewell’s pledge to sign “young and hungry” players following the acquisition of Hewitt – on the day of his 18th birthday – last month.
While most fans will welcome another promising youngster signing for Town, they will now be hoping Jewell adds some more steel to the spine of his team.
A first-choice goalkeeper, two centre-backs, at least one midfielder and another striker all remain priorities but the Town boss this week warned fans to remain patient.
The manager said: “Supporters always want to see new faces arriving and I’m as impatient as anyone, more so, in trying to bring players here.
“Signing players is a complicated business. Yes, in an ideal world I’d like to have all our players in place by the time we return to pre-season training in July but we don’t live in an ideal world.”
One man who seems unlikely to be coming is QPR keeper Paddy Kenny who is close to leaving the Premier League club.
The 34-year-old tweeted that he was “excited to get his future sorted” before quickly deleting the message from the social media website.
While we understand Jewell considered making the veteran stopper an offer, he has moved on to other targets.
Leeds United remains favourites to secure Kenny’s signature.
More Ipswich Town news
- Ipswich Town renew their interest in keeper Lee Camp
- Alan Judge set to sign for Blackburn
- Ipswich Town chief scout Dave Bowman talks budgets and blueprints ahead of what could be a busy transfer window
- Marcus Evans’ salary cap plans scuppered as the Premier League once again flexes its muscles
- Ipswich Town’s pursuit of Jay Tabb hits snag as Skuse signs
- U’s to take on Town in friendly
- Cole Skuse agrees three-year deal at Ipswich Town
- Ipswich Town fans are ready to ride the rollercoaster again
- IPSWICH TOWN: Blackpool example is a good one to follow
- Could performance-related pay at Ipswich Town be the future?
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12 comments
Here we are a week later and no obvious movement on the transfer front. We have 6 articles on Bryan Klug, who with the best will in the world will make no difference next season. Where does this leave us? Up to our necks in Guam !
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graham garrod
Friday, June 15, 2012
The players we already have will be a very good side next season, wait and see. They'll start well and keep going. With two provisos, must have good encouraging man management from PJ and better coaching.
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JOHN BURLS
Thursday, June 14, 2012
redhot itfc, other clubs are making signings despite the Euro's and Olymics and if CEO Clegg spent more time on ITFC business rather than the Olympics, then perhaps we could too !!!!
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Brian Betts
Thursday, June 14, 2012
"subject to a medical" says Jewell, but it doesn't appear to matter what the results are - ask Hewitt.
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Brian Betts
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I said this before trueblue. Jewell is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't by a portion of online 'fans'. Kourouma actually went to Zaragoza before Genoa from France and seems a reasonable signing. Obviously some areas we need to strenghen but it's always going to be hard making signings during the euros and olympics.
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redhotitfc
Monday, June 11, 2012
I said this before trueblue. Jewell is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't by a portion of online 'fans'. Kourouma actually went to Zaragoza before Genoa from France and seems a reasonable signing. Obviously some areas we need to strenghen but it's always going to be hard making signings during the euros and olympics.
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redhotitfc
Monday, June 11, 2012
How strange- Had this said no news on new signings half of you would have been on here complaining PJ isnt doing anything, how much more paitentce must we show (as if you have in the 1st place) yes a story appears of town again signing a young player with bags of potentail just like you have have all screamed and shouted for and nothing- No acknkowledgemnt- Starting to think many supporters are only happy when it rains at portman road- As always more firn work going on behind the scenes by PJ and team
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TrueBlue
Monday, June 11, 2012
Whilst it is great that we are signing potential, we are desperate for some players to bring a little balance to the team. Age isn't everything.
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Mr Whislte
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Again not the best choosen words from PJ. (in an ideal world he would like all his players by the time we teturn to pre-season training..But we don't live in an ideal world). Really hope he gets it right this time round considering how strong the championship will be this season he better get the right players in even if it means paying a little more... LAST CHANCE TO SAVE YOURSELF. and also same for mr Clegg...
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david bradley
Saturday, June 9, 2012
I don't know about living in an ideal world Paul Jewell, reading some of your contradictory statements I seriously wonder if you are living on our planet !!!!!!
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Brian Betts
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Good to see we are pursuing quality (hopefully) youngsters at last. We do not need Kenny at that age when there are quality, young keepers available. A few have already been named in this column. One other plea. Please do not forget our own youngsters. History shows we have produced quality players who ultimately became internationals or almost.
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Graham Vine
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Another reasonably sensible gamble but realistically relegation can only be avoided if Jewell actually targets the positions Town need strengthening in... which on previous form he will sort out with a flurry of senseless loans and signings when far too late.
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Rob Steroo
Saturday, June 9, 2012