IVAN Campo has agreed a two year deal with Ipswich Town and will sign next week subject to a medical on Monday.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

IVAN Campo has agreed a two year deal with Ipswich Town and will sign next week subject to a medical on Monday.

The former Real Madrid star will probably not make his Blues debut until the trip to Burnley on Saturday week and is unlikely to figure in the Carling Cup match against Leyton Orient on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old, who can play defensive midfield or in the back line, is excited by the challenge of helping Town to the Premiership, where he played with Bolton.

The EADT revealed Campo was holding talks with manager Jim Magilton last Tuesday after watching Town lose to West Ham in a pre-season friendly at Portman Road the night before.

Despite an offer from Real Sociedad Campo decided his future was with the Blues after being shown around the club.

Campo said: “I am delighted with this move. I've been really very impressed with everything I've seen of Ipswich so far, it's a great club that clearly takes a great deal of pride in doing things the right way. They have a great stadium and unbelievably good facilities at their training ground. "

"I feel that this is going to be a very good move for me. I have been convinced by the club's ambitions and everybody that I have spoken to is serious about mounting a serious challenge this season.

"I'm genuinely excited to be a part of this project and really looking forward to working with Jim Magilton. Mr Magilton has explained what he wants from me and laid out his plans for the season ahead, and I am convinced that I have made the right choice. I also spoke with Pablo Counago and he has told me what a great club this is.

"I felt that I had a great deal more to offer English football and I'm really very happy be able to continue playing here. This is a whole new challenge for me and I cannot wait to get started."

Blues chief executive Derek Bowden said; “We have agreed terms with Ivan over a deal and he will be at Portman Road on Monday for a medical.

“If everything goes well with that, and we have no reason to believe otherwise, then he will sign.”

Campo made 172 appearances for the Trotters in six years after joining them from Real Madrid where he won a Champions' League medal.

He is exactly the right sort of performer that manager Jim Magilton has been seeking to help add steel and knowledge to his defence.

Magilton added: “Ivan has played at the top level for many years and his experience will be a great asset for us.

“The young players at this club will really benefit from having him around the place.”

Campo also won four caps for Spain and played in the 1998 World Cup in France.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk