Ipswich Town have confirmed the signing of Portsmouth defender Adam Webster for an undisclosed fee. He joins Portman Road as part of a swap deal, with Matt Clarke making his loan deal with the League Two side permanent.
The 21-year-old becomes Mick McCarthy’s first signing of the summer and will officially join the club from July 1st. In joining the Tractor Boys, the deal to bring Webster to the club becomes the most expensive signing of the McCarthy era.
The 21-year-old had been on the books of Portsmouth since the age of 12, eventually making his first-team debut at the age of 17 against West Ham United. He progressively began to enjoy more first-team opportunities at Fratton Park, last season making a total of 35 appearances in both league and cup, including two FA Cup ties against Ipswich.
19-year-old defender Clarke therefore pens a permanent switch to Pompey. He appeared 33 times for Paul Cook’s men last season as they reached the Play-Offs, only to suffer defeat to Plymouth Argyle, who subsequently lost the final to AF Wimbledon.
The youngster started over half of their League Two matches last season and was clearly a player that Cook wanted to sign permanently. Whilst losing Webster was a blow, they always knew higher league clubs would come in for him if they didn’t gain promotion.
Ipswich fans can expect to see a ball-playing centre back entering their club, and he’ll now challenge the likes of Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith for a place in the team.
