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By the numbers: Dara O'Shea signs for Town

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O'Shea becomes Ipswich Town's 11th signing this summer. Ash Read looks at the numbers.

The details: Ipswich Town has signed Republic of Ireland international Dara O'Shea from Burnley for an initial £12 million, with potential add-ons of up to £3 million.

Dara O'Shea
O'Shea had previously been linked with moves to Brentford and WolvesAlamy

The 25-year-old brings valuable top-flight experience, having made 61 Premier League appearances across stints with Burnley (2023/24 season) and West Bromwich Albion (2020/21).

On the pitch: O'Shea is a modern centre back with all the right attributes to fit with Town's squad. He's strong in the air, having won 65% of his aerial duels in the Premier League last season.

He also made zero errors leading to goals conceded last season, and scored three goals for Burnley in the top flight.

O'Shea's passing ability complements Town's style of play. Last season, O'Shea completed around ~52 passes per game with a pass completion rate of 79%. For context, so far this season Luke Wolfenden has completed ~51 passes per game with an 80% completion rate.

Zoom out: The Irish defender, who has earned 26 caps for his country, is expected to slot into Kieran McKenna's starting lineup. His arrival provides Ipswich with depth and flexibility across the backline, with two players for each position:

  • DL: Leif Davis, Connor Townsend

  • DC(L): Jacob Greaves, Cameron Burgess

  • DC(R): Dara O'Shea, Luke Wolfenden

  • DR: Axel Tuanzebe, Ben Johnson

What's next: O'Shea's arrival could pave the way for George Edmundson's departure, with the club potentially exploring loan or permanent options for the defender.

Town are also thought to be continuing their search for a striker as the collapse of the Armando Broja deal looks increasingly likely. The transfer window closes on Friday at 11pm.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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