Town have completed the permanent signing of Marcus Harness from Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee.
The versatile 26-year-old has signed a three-year contract at Portman Road, with striker Joe Pigott moving the other way to Fratton Park on a season-long loan as part of the deal.
The Club has the option to extend Marcus’ contract by a further 12 months.
Born in Coventry, Marcus was on the books with the Sky Blues at youth level before making a switch to Burton Albion. He made his first competitive appearance for the Brewers in a 1-0 defeat to Notts County in an EFL Trophy tie in September 2013.
His league debut came six months later when he was a second-half substitute against Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park. In May 2014 he started his first league match as Burton were beaten 1-0 by Southend United at Roots Hall.
Marcus’ first goal for Burton was against Walsall in an EFL Trophy affair in September 2018. In January the following year he then scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Rochdale, and by the end of the campaign he had successfully broken into Nigel Clough’s first-team plans.
After signing for Portsmouth in July 2019, Marcus made his first appearance for Kenny Jackett’s side on the opening day of the 2019/20 campaign away to Shrewsbury. His first goal for the Hampshire outfit came away to Sunderland later that month.
Both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns saw Marcus hit double figures for Pompey, and he departs the Club having notched more than 30 goals across three seasons at Fratton Park.
Marcus, who in 2019 declared his intention to represent Republic of Ireland at international level, arrives at Portman Road with more than 200 league appearances to his name from a nine-year career.
“It’s been a somewhat stressful day but I am so excited and happy to be here now,” Marcus told iFollow Ipswich.
“This is an exciting project here and I think there are good things to come. I’m so pleased to be a part of it.
“I was sold instantly when I spoke to the manager. I love the way he wants to play and I think I can be a good fit here. I look forward to showing what I can do.
“Wherever I play I will give my best and I think I can help the team.”
“Marcus is a good fit for the team and a good fit for the Club,” Town boss Kieran McKenna added.
“He has good experience in the league but is also coming into his prime and he wants to continue to improve and get himself to the next level.
“Marcus fits our style of play and is a strong player in a number of different positions and different roles. He is a versatile attacker who has been very effective in the league in terms of goals and assists.
“He can be a very good addition for us.”
Marcus is the fifth signing for the Club this summer and could be involved when Town visit Millwall in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, 23 July.
The Blues then host Bolton Wanderers at Portman Road in the first match of the season on 30 July. Season tickets for the 2022/23 campaign remain on sale here.
