Ireland underage defender Mark McGuinness has secured a season-long loan with Ipswich Town from Arsenal.
The towering 6'4" centre back impressed Tractors Boys manager Paul Lambert when playing for Arsenal’s U23s against Ipswich a fortnight ago in the EFL Trophy.
London-born McGuinness – whose father is from Derry – has been at the Gunners since he was 10 and scored for the senior team in a pre-season friendly against MK Dons last month.
McGuinness was also a standout performer for Ireland U19s when they reached the semi-finals of the 2019 European Championships.
Now the 19-year-old is hoping to sample regular first-team action with the League One side.
McGuinness said: "I’m hoping to be involved in plenty of first-team matches here. The lads have started really well, so I know I’ll have to impress and I won’t just walk into the team, but I’m up for the challenge.
"My main priority is defending and I want to help the team keep as many clean sheets and be as solid as possible.
"I also enjoy getting on the ball, though. I can see this squad try to play out from the back and that’s something that will suit me and benefit me.
"The experience here could be invaluable to me. I want to make the most of it and help the Club achieve what it wants."
