Irish International Alan Judge joins Ipswich Town on short-term deal

30-year-old Irish international Alan Judge has joined Sky Bet Championship strugglers Ipswich Town on a short-term deal following his departure from Brentford for an undisclosed fee. 

Ipswich, previous employers of current Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy, lie marooned at the bottom of the Championship table, seven points from safety after 27 games. 

With five international appearances to his name, the 30-year-old Dubliner has scored one goal for the Boys in Green after struggling with injury for much of the Martin O’Neill era. 

The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder’s solitary strike for the Republic of Ireland came in a 2-1 friendly win over the USA in June 2018, a win which proved to be Martin O’Neill’s last victory as manager of the national side.  

“I’ve been here before. I know what a big club it is and how good it can be here,” the midfielder told the club’s official media team.  

“I nearly signed here under Mick McCarthy a few years back and for one reason or another it didn’t happen. 

“Then he tried to sign me again last year, but I wasn’t fit enough so it’s third time lucky and I’m really looking forward to it. 

“It’s a deal until the end of the season and then we will see what happens from there. I’m just focused on playing some games for now, helping the team get up the table and enjoying my football again. 

“The minute I spoke to the manager I could feel his enthusiasm for the Club and that was enough for me. It was an easy decision. 

“I felt wanted immediately and Paul has said to me to go out and play with confidence and try and make things happen. I’ll be giving everything to do that.”

Judge is in line to make his debut for the Tractor Boys against his former club Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon in a must-win match for the Championship’s basement strugglers. 

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