Adeyemi in switch to Ipswich
MIDFIELDER Tom Adeyemi has joined Ipswich Town after the expiry of his Cardiff City contract.
The 25-year-old will join fellow ex-Cardiff man Emyr Huws in the Tractor Boys’ midfield, despite interest from his boyhood club – and arch rivals – Norwich City.
Adeyemi made just 23 appearances for the Bluebirds in a three-year stint, spending the majority of that time out on loan.
And a productive spell with Rotherham United last season has prompted Ipswich to swoop for the box-to-box player. Adeyemi scored seven goals for the Millers, despite their relegation to League One.
He now joins Mick McCarthy’s troops on a two-year deal.
Manager McCarthy said: “Tom is coming into his prime at 25, he has played 220 or so League games so he is very experienced and he showed last season that he carries a goal threat.
“Some have him down as a holding midfielder, but Rotherham gave him licence to get forward last season and he benefited from that.
“He scored seven goals from midfield at a team that got relegated. That tells you something about the ability he has got. That’s more than we got from our midfield players last season.
“Tom has got a lot of attributes and I know there were a lot of clubs interested in him. He comes across as a really good person as well, which is important. He will fit in perfectly for us and I’m delighted we’ve got him.”
Adeyemi added: “I have known about the interest from Ipswich for a while but it picked up over the last few days and having spoken to the manager, it was an easy decision to come here.
“I didn’t need to speak to anyone else. I know what a great club Ipswich is. I know about the history.
“The manager told me about his plans and how I fitted in and I have always admired him from afar as well.
“They were all key reasons why I wanted to come here but Ipswich showed the most interest in me as well and that was important.
“I wanted to join a club that I felt really wanted me and I felt that about it here.
“I know the club have signed a few players lately so there is a bit of a re-building going on and I’m delighted to be part of that.”