Ipswich Town have announced the signing of midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City for the 2024-25 season.
The 28-year-old has failed to reach the heights expected at Man City following his £42m transfer from boyhood club Leeds United two years ago.
Phillips has been unable to establish himself as a first-team regular under Pep Guardiola, making just six starts in 31 appearances across all competitions before being loaned out to West Ham United for the second half of last season.
The Yorkshireman endured a torrid spell at the London Stadium, though, with his below-par performances across 10 outings leading to widespread criticism from the Hammers fanbase.
Phillips played in all four of Man City’s pre-season friendlies over the summer, but the midfielder remains surplus to requirements under Guardiola and the decision has been made to join newly-promoted Ipswich on a temporary basis.
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Phillips: ‘I want to play as many games as possible’
Phillips, who will wear the No.8 shirt for the Tractor Boys, has expressed his excitement at joining Ipswich and has explained how conversations with manager Kieran McKenna persuaded him to make the move to Portman Road.
“This is a day I’ve been waiting a number of weeks for now and I’m very happy to be here,” the 31-cap England international told Ipswich’s official website.
“I’ve had some great conversations with players I know here and also with the manager, who I have obviously heard a lot about, and I’m excited to be here and be part of his team, playing how he likes to play the game.
“The conversations with Kieran McKenna and Mark Ashton (Ipswich CEO) have been really good and I followed Ipswich’s season closely last year, so I know the journey the club has been on and it’s a great story which I’m now excited to be a part of.
“I want to play as many games as possible, enjoy playing football again and help the team win as many games as possible in the Premier League.”
Ipswich boss McKenna added: “We are very happy to have Kalvin here and he is a fantastic signing for the football club.
McKenna: ‘Phillips has much to offer at Ipswich’
“He is of course a high-calibre, experienced midfielder who has played at the highest levels of the game, in both club and international football.
“He’s had a fantastic career up until this point and we believe he is going to be a big addition to the group.
“Kalvin has much to offer us in terms of his qualities both on and off the ball, and he is a really humble and likeable character. He has been a key member of a newly-promoted team in the Premier League before and of course made a big impression for Leeds United during that period.
“Like all players who come here we want to try and help them improve, whether that’s a younger player or one with more experience. That’s a big part of our culture and we’re sure Kalvin can make some big steps with us to help him and the club have a really positive season.”
Phillips becomes Ipswich’s eighth signing of the summer transfer window and their second from Man City after striker Liam Delap, who has joined on a permanent deal which could rise to £20m.
Ipswich have also confirmed the signing of striker Sammie Szmodics – last season’s top scorer in the Championship – from Blackburn Rovers on a four-year deal, and the club have confirmed that he and Phillips could make their debuts at home against Liverpool in their opening Premier League match of the 2024-25 season on Saturday.
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