Ipswich have said that they have signed Manchester City striker Kalvin Phillips on loan.

The newly promoted Premier League team announced the arrival of the England international on Friday afternoon. They also confirmed the permanent transfer of Blackburn forward Sam Szmodics.

Phillips, who is 28 years old, joined Man City for £42 million in 2022, but he has only played 31 times for Pep Guardiola’s team, acting as a support player.

He had a terrible loan spell at West Ham last season and is now hoping for a better one with Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich.

He told the club website, “This is the day I’ve been waiting for a few weeks, and I’m very happy to be here.”

“I had great conversations with players I know here and with the manager, who I had heard great things about. I’m excited to be here and play on his team the way he likes to play the game.”  

“My talks with Kieran McKenna and Mark Ashton have been great, and I closely watched Ipswich’s season last year, so I know the journey the club has been on. It’s a great story, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”  

“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.”

Phillips has 31 England caps, but he wasn’t in Gareth Southgate’s team for the Euros this summer because he didn’t get enough playing time at Man City and had a rough time at West Ham. He will wear the No. 8 shirt.

Also, Szmodics moves from Blackburn to Chelsea. He scored 33 goals across all competitions last season and the deal is thought to be worth around £9 million.

They gave him the Championship Golden Boot and put him on their team of the season.

The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland player signed a four-year deal and scored three goals in Blackburn’s first two games of the new season before moving to Portman Road.

“I’m thrilled to be here as an Ipswich Town player,” the team’s new No. 23 said.  

This time, with the task of the Premier League, it felt right. I’ve been interested since I was a kid.

“I was pushed by a few of the guys, including Lewis Travis, who played here last season. They told me I had to come work for this manager, which I’m absolutely thrilled to do.” 

“Every boy’s dream is to play in the Premier League. I’ve always told my friends, family, and agents that I’ll get there one day.”  

“I want to score for Ipswich Town at Portman Road more than anything else.” I’m thrilled to be here and excited about the season to come.

Ipswich will play their first Premier League game in 22 years on Saturday lunchtime when they host Liverpool.

Portman Road is getting a lot of changes to make it fit Premier League rules.