THE LONG RUNNING SAGA of Sammie Szmodics’ transfer from Blackburn Rovers to Ipswich Town has finally come to an end, with the Ireland striker putting pen to paper for Kieran McKenna’s side.
The news was announced with a cryptic message on the Ipswich Town X page, with Szmodics doing a walk up in the Suffolk club’s famous blue kit.
Blackburn Rovers went a little further, noting in their website that he went for a ‘significant, undisclosed fee.’
Their account noted, ‘A special player, with a special personality to match, Szmodics arrived at Rovers from Peterborough United in August 2022 and quickly became the heartbeat of the dressing room.
‘He scored on his Rovers debut in a 3-1 win away to Swansea City, then really started to make his mark during the second half of the season, netting notable goals in the FA Cup against Leicester City and Sheffield United.
‘The 2023-24 campaign would be one that Szmodics will remember forever.
‘An extraordinary 27 league goals earned him the Championship’s Golden Boot award, whilst his wonderful winner at Leeds United saw him become the first Rovers player since Alan Shearer to score 30 goals in a single season.’
Ipswich had been tracking the player from some way out but the two clubs were finding it difficult to come to an arrangement. Last weekend, manager McKenna was asked about Szmodics and replied that he would never comment on an individual player from another club.
His arrival gives Ipswich a good bit more fire power, and also gives the player a chance to relocate closer to his childhood home of Colchester.
The top scorer in last year’s championship, he impressed for Ireland since making debut against Belgium in March.
He is likely to be key player in the Nation’s League, under new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson.
Great move let’s hope he can be like Jaime Vardy
@ashton oriordan: Genuine question, is it a great move? I really hope it works out for him. Not suggesting he’s below that level, but I’d imagine Delap and probably others I don’t know of will fancy that striker spot. Best of luck to him because we really need someone in good club form like he was at Blackburn.
@Ultán Corcoran: shur we’ll find out in the next 6 months, Ipswich giving him a shot and he’s keen to take it. Is it a great move? Only 1 way to find out.
@Ultán Corcoran: I’d say it is a good move for him. He’s going to a medium sized club (absolutely no disrespect to Ipswich intended) where he won’t be under huge scrutiny and should have a decent chance of starting. You could hardly blame the guy for taking the chance to play in pl. The only issue will be that he will probably be playing in a relegation fighting team but that was more than likely anyway.
@Bert Carolan: He singlehandedly saved Blackburn in a relegation battle last year. Best of luck to him
Welcome to Ipswich Sammy.
Jack Taylor, Marcus Harness and now Sammy, nice little Irish contingent at the Towen.
@Michael Kennedy: be a good watch now with the irish hopefully not to good tommorry morning
@Square: the Pool are gonna get stuffed tomorrow Square, lol.
@Michael Kennedy: Should be another great season starting tonight come on fulhum lll
@Square: Fulham 3????
@Michael Kennedy: I typed 3 smilyies that is what came out sometimes even when u type right different words come up but still you will have the spelling police comning up out off there couch to correct everyone off us
@Square: Fake fan. You probably dont even know who the manager was before klopp.
You can add Liam Delap to that list too it’s only a matter of time he follows in his dad’s footsteps.
As for Sammie it’s a good move for Rovers a bit cheap for the goals he scored last season 10 million if he scores goals they could get double that next season the new Jamie Vardy.
Thought they would have to pay more than that.
@zoncolan: how much did he cost ?
@Patrick Brosnan: around 9.5m + add ons.