New striker Michael Chopra has revealed that his former Cardiff team-mate Mark Kennedy was phoning him two or three times a day trying to persuade him to sign on at Portman Road prior to the 27-year-old completing his move earlier in the month. The one-time Newcastle trainee put pen to paper on a three-year deal after the clubs agreed a £1.5 million fee.

Chopra told the club site: "I know some of the lads here already, Sparky [Kennedy], Carlos, Grant and Márton, and that helps you settle in.

"Sparky was on the phone two or three times a day trying to get me here when he knew Ipswich were keen and he sold the club to me.

"The manager's ambitions were key, though. He told me the players he was trying to bring in and that impressed me. I could see how determined he is to take the club forward and where he wants Ipswich Town to go.

"That was very important for me because I'm ambitious as well and I can't wait for the season to get going now."

Chopra and the rest of the squad - including Luciano Civelli whose return from Argentina was delayed by a volcano - were at the club's traditional pre-season barbecue at Glemham Hall last night.

Photo: ITFC

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