IPSWICH new boy Sam Parkin would love to stage an action replay of his debut for former club Swindon.A hat-trick in a 3-1 home win over Barnsley got his Robins' career off to a flying start and a repeat performance would go down well on August 6, when Cardiff are the visitors to Portman Road.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH new boy Sam Parkin would love to stage an action replay of his debut for former club Swindon.

A hat-trick in a 3-1 home win over Barnsley got his Robins' career off to a flying start and a repeat performance would go down well on August 6, when Cardiff are the visitors to Portman Road.

Town have signed a prolific marksman - 73 goals in three seasons at the County Ground - in the former Chelsea youngster.

His £450,000 transfer to Ipswich is a dream move for a player keen to step up a level and with his sights set, eventually, on a return to the Premiership.

Parkin became the club's second signing in 24 hours following the arrival of Nicky Forster, with whom he will form a brand new strike force in the forthcoming campaign.

Tanned after a three-week holiday in Australia, he said: “All the things I was looking for in a new club are already in place here.

“It wasn't too difficult a decision to choose Ipswich, what with their reputation in the game and what I have heard from people whose opinions matter to me.

“Then when I met the manager and spoke to him at some length it became a relatively easy decision to make.

“I have waited for a long time for this move. It is massive for me and I had to make sure I made the right decision.”

Parkin, who has the same agent as Chelsea and England defender John Terry, has signed a four-year contract at Portman Road.

He added: “First and foremost, when I decided it was time to move on, I wanted to make sure I joined the right club.

“Ipswich came into the race quite late but as soon as I heard they wanted me I had them at the top of my list.

“I was impressed with Joe and what he had to say and with the facilities - the training ground as well as the stadium itself - as well.

“I am absolutely delighted to be here. It is a bigger stage but I have enough confidence in my ability to know that I can do well for Ipswich.”

Parkin will wear the number nine shirt vacated by Pablo Counago, but he smiled as he insisted: “I'm not just the old fashioned type of centre-forward that you lump the ball up to.

“I can also play a bit on the floor. I can play with my back to the goal and bring other people into the game, as well as doing what I have been brought here to do - score goals.”

Parkin's arrival coincided with the release of the new season's fixtures and he added: “I looked through them and there are some massive clubs in there.

“But Ipswich are as big as any of them and I see no reason why we shouldn't be up there challenging to get into the Premiership.”

Roehampton-born Parkin also hopes that his form will earn him senior recognition with Scotland, for whom he is eligible through his mother, who hails from Dundee.

He has already played for the Scotland Future side and admitted: “When I spoke to Walter Smith we agreed it would improve my chances if I was playing at a higher level.

“My priority is to do well for Ipswich, but it would be great if my form enabled me to force my way into the senior squad. That's a chance I would definitely want to grab.”