Ipswich Town sign former Manchester United and Aston Villa defender Axel Tuanzebe on a one-year contract as they reunite with Kieran McKenna.

Ipswich Town have completed the signing of defender Axel Tuanzebe on a 1-year contract, with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

The 25-year-old becomes the 25th player in Kieran McKenna’s squad for the 2023/24 Championship campaign.

The centre-back signed as a free agent after being released from Manchester United at the end of last season.

He made a total of 37 appearances for the Red Devils, including matches in the Champions League and Europa League.

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Ipswich Town have secured the signing of former Manchester United and Napoli player Axel Tuanzebe, with the defender set to make his debut against Sheffield Wednesday next week. The 25-year-old became a free agent after being released by Erik ten Hag’s side in the summer after making 37 appearances for the Red Devils, despite spending most of his playing career on loan.

Tuanzebe’s best spell was on loan at Aston Villa, where he helped the team win promotion to the Premier League with a play-off final victory over Derby County at Wembley in 2019. He then played for Napoli and Stoke City shirts with limited success.

The former England youth international joins Ipswich Town in good form, as Paul McKenna’s side travel to Hillsborough following an impressive 3-2 win over Cardiff City last week.

Their fortunes are somewhat contrasting with Sheffield Wednesday. As the Owls continue their quest for a first league title under Xisco Munoz, their promoted side and their next opponents sit second in the league having won all but one match since leaving League One.

And while Tuanzebe could make his first appearance for the Tractor Boys against the Owls on Saturday, boss McKenna has hinted that his new signing may have to be patient before making his debut.

“We want to develop it sensibly and get it back to its best,” McKenna said on the club’s website. “If we can do that, we think we can bring a very valuable asset to the team.”

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Tuanzebe, a product of the Manchester United academy, became a free agent after a long time with the Red Devils.

He was linked with Sheffield United, as well as Spanish side Real Betis, but chose to stay in England and join Ipswich. The move reunites Tuanzebe with Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna, who he worked with at Old Trafford.

“I chatted to the manager earlier this summer, I’ve worked with him before and it was great to see a familiar face. Knowing the caliber of his coach, coming here was the right decision because I know his standards and how thorough he is.

“The stadium, pitch and training ground are all top class and the team are humble, willing to work and everyone wants to take the club to a better position.

“I’m so excited to be here and can’t wait to get started.” »

McKenna added:
“We are really delighted to have Axel at the football club. He is a defender with a lot of experience and background from a young age and many qualities as a player and as a person. He is agile, strong in duels, a good communicator and good dribbler.

“We think he will bring a lot to the team and the club. He trained well with the group last week and will continue to do so. We want to develop him properly and bring he’s back to his best. . “If we do this