Aaron Drinan has joined Town on a three-and-a-half year contract from Waterford FC.
19-year-old Aaron Drinan has been training with the Championship club since October but has now completed the switch for an undisclosed fee following international clearance.
“It’s great and I’m buzzing to get going,” the Irishman told iFollow Ipswich.
“Not being able to play was tough but I always knew the transfer would go through so I just kept my head down and worked hard.”
“The manager has praised me in training so I hope I can take that out onto the pitch and impress him.”
🎥 | New recruit, Aaron Drinan has set his sights on getting into the Blues' first-team as soon as possible after completing his move to Portman Road from Waterford today #itfc pic.twitter.com/8oJVx4fIT0
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) January 4, 2018
Drinan isn’t the first Waterford man to sign for Ipswich. He follows in the footsteps of Republic of Ireland international Daryl Murphy, who played seven seasons for the Blues after a five-year-stint at Waterford. Unsurprisingly, comparisons are already being drawn between the two.
“They’ve started calling me Murph. That sort of thing helps and I’ve received a warm welcome from everyone here. I’m so glad to be a part of the set-up now and I’m ready to crack on.”
Not a bad nickname to have considering what Murphy, now at Nottingham Forrest, did during his time at the club. Murphy’s 27 goal tally in 2014/15 made him the Championship’s top marksman that season and earned him the club’s player of the year accolade.
No pressure!
Manager Mick McCarthy has seen the progress Drinan has made over the last few months and he likes what he sees.
“He’s really impressed me. He hasn’t looked out of place in training at all. The only frustrating thing is that he hasn’t been able to play but he’s ready to go now.”
Drinan will wear the number 26 shirt for Town and could feature as early as Saturday for Town’s FA Cup third round tie at home to Sheffield United.
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