Ipswich Town have signed midfield Dan Neil on loan from Sunderland.
Ipswich Town have completed the loan signing of midfielder Dan Neil from Premier League club Sunderland.
The 24-year-old has made 200 appearances for his boyhood club, helping them rise from League One to the Premier League, and became club captain in 2024.
He becomes the Blues’ second signing of the January transfer window following last week’s arrival of versatile attacker Anis Mehmeti (Bristol City, £3m).
Neil, who will wear the No.6 shirt, is due to be out of contract this summer.
He will provide competition to a midfield unit currently comprising of Azor Matusiwa, Jens Cajuste and Jack Taylor.
Ipswich now have five loan players, the maximum you can name in a matchday squad, in Cedric Kipre (Reims), Cajuste (Napoli) Chuba Akpom (Ajax), Ivan Azon (Como) and Neil.
The Blues are also back up to having 25 senior players – the most you can register for action – meaning someone would need to depart/be reregistered if further signings were to be made before next Monday’s 7pm transfer deadline.
“We’re happy to add Dan to the group,” said Blues boss Kieran McKenna.
“He’s a versatile midfielder who can play in a couple of different roles. He of course has a lot of experience in the Championship, including winning a promotion last season, so he’s a player with good pedigree and good character who I’m sure will be a strong addition for us for the rest of the season.”
Neil said: “I’ve been at Sunderland for a very long time and it was an unbelievable chapter in my life and career, but I’m ready for the next chapter now. After a lot of thought, it was clear Ipswich would be the perfect fit for that.
“The way the manager wants to play football and the way I like to play is the same, basically, and it’s a great fit for me to keep developing as a player while hopefully also achieving some success here.
“I’m a central midfielder who likes to get on the ball and tries to dictate games as much as I can. But I’ve also learnt over the years that the out-of-possession stuff is just as important, especially in this division. I’m vocal in terms of organising the team and those are probably my main qualities.”
“I can’t wait to get started.”
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