Ipswich Town have completed the signing of midfielder Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City on a season-long loan.
The Athletic reported on Thursday Phillips, 28, was set to undergo a medical at Ipswich after the two club agreed the terms of a move. City will not have a recall option included in the agreement.
He could be available to make his debut during Saturday’s Premier League opener against Liverpool.
Everton explored a loan move for the England international earlier this summer, while Fulham also carried an interest.
Phillips becomes Ipswich’s seventh signing of the summer window following the arrivals of Jacob Greaves, Omari Hutchinson, Liam Delap, Conor Townsend, Ben Johnson and Arijanet Muric as the club prepare for a return to the Premier League after a 22-year absence.
“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,” Phillips said.
“The conversations with Kieran McKenna and (CEO) Mark Ashton 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.”
Phillips spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United, making 10 appearances and being sent off in just his fourth appearance for the club.
Capped 31 times by England, the midfielder joined Manchester City from Leeds United in the summer of 2022, having helped his boyhood club win promotion to the Premier League before breaking into the England set-up.
Phillips made 31 appearances in 18 months for Pep Guardiola’s side but was never able to establish himself as a first team regular. His contract at Manchester City runs until 2028.
Ipswich have relied on the central midfield partnership of Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo over the past season and a half, with the pair helping Kieran McKenna’s side achieve back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.
“Kalvin is of course a high-calibre, experienced midfielder who has played at the highest levels of the game, in both club and international football,” McKenna added.
“He 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.”
(Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
