Donacien Joins Blues From Accrington

Tuesday, 31st Jul 2018 18:11 Town have confirmed the signing of Janoi Donacien from Accrington Stanley in a deal which is initially a loan but will ultimately become a £750,000 permanent switch. The 24-year-old centre-back or right-back is joining on a year’s loan with the deal becoming a long-term switch at the point his permanent leave to remain in the UK has been confirmed. This is anticipated soon and not expected to be a problem, however, Town were unwilling to formalise the transfer until the paperwork has been completed. The St Lucian, who has lived in the UK with his family since 2001, hit the headlines in 2012 during his time with Aston Villa’s academy when it emerged he might not be allowed back into the country if his side played abroad in the latter stages of the NextGen Series U19s European competition with his family having been denied permanent UK residency by the Home Office. The matter was even raised in the House of Commons and eventually Donacien and his family were granted an initial three years’ discretionary leave to remain in the UK, which is understood to have been subsequently extended for a further three-year period. “It has happened so fast,” Donacien told iFollow Ipswich. “When I was told Ipswich wanted me I thought ‘Wow!’ Then I just wanted to get down here. “It’s a massive club, a sleeping giant in the Championship really with the history the club has got. It’s a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get going. “I can play anywhere across the back four. I don’t mind, I’ll play wherever the gaffer wants me to. I was just want to be playing for this club.” Town boss Paul Hurst added: “Janoi has done well over the last couple of seasons. He defends very well one-v-one and gets up and down the pitch.

“He is someone that again fits the profile of what we are looking for - someone who is hungry, has not played at this level before - and he’s at a good age that we feel there is progression there. “He is versatile and has played right across the back four. He brings competition in all areas, particularly at full-back and that gives us options. “We want that right across the squad, that competition for places and we’re delighted to have him here.” Accrington manager John Coleman is disappointed to see the defender, his club's record sale, move on. “Janoi has been fantastic since he has been here," he told Stanley's official site. "He hasn’t been an ounce of trouble and I am surprised no one has come in for him sooner. “Once people started treating us properly in the transfer market, that gives players the opportunities. “We can’t let them go just to better their career, it has to be good for the club as well and that’s my responsibility. “The money will mean a lot to Accrington, we will use it to improve the infrastructure of the club.” Chairman Andy Holt added: “Janoi is a great lad, he is a model professional and he did what it said on the tin. “He came here, grafted, helped us win the league title and fully deserves his opportunity. That’s what we are about at Accrington. "The fee means a great deal to us and for us, it’s going into new changing rooms.” Donacien was an academy youngster with Luton, Tottenham and Villa before spending time out on loan with Tranmere, Wycombe and Newport while a Villans player. Having failed to break into the first team at Villa Park, Donacien moved to Accrington on a free transfer in the summer of 2016. Since then he has made 85 starts and seven sub appearances, scoring once. Last season he helped Stanley to the League Two title. Donacien will become the second St Lucian to represent Town following striker Earl Jean, who made one sub appearance in December 1996. The Blues are still in the hunt for another senior centre-half. Blackpool’s Curtis Tilt remains top of the list and the 26-year-old is reported to have handed in a transfer request in order to hurry along the move. Town are understood to have made two offers which the Seasiders, who have been chasing a £1 million fee, have rebuffed, the most recent a £550,000 offer. As previously reported, Shrewsbury pair Toto Nsiala and Omar Beckles are also on Hurst’s list of potential new centre-halves. Photos: ITFC



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ruds added 18:13 - Jul 31

All of a sudden, I can't wait to get to that Season ticket out and get behind the boys on Saturday....



Small expectations but huge in HOPES this season!



COYB 25

LesTibbetsbrokenleg added 18:14 - Jul 31

Great stuff! Welcome to Portman Rd Janoi

COYB! 6

northblue added 18:15 - Jul 31

Welcome Janoi looking forward to see u play 5

wkj added 18:16 - Jul 31

I think Hurst is really into that tye of haircut, and I must admit, so am I 7

jpring89 added 18:20 - Jul 31

Not sure really how his name is pronounced but just going to call him The Don. Hopefully plays like the Don aswell 4

Westover added 18:20 - Jul 31

Wow £750 000 that's a lot more than I expected us to have to pay for him just hope he can take the step up. 2

cat added 18:20 - Jul 31

Young, hungry, enthusiastic and with potential. Seems to be the criteria nowadays and I’m liking it. 13

floridaboy added 18:21 - Jul 31

Need to get a few wigs purchased!! -1

dukey44 added 18:23 - Jul 31

Well let the season begin.... 3

happybeingblue added 18:25 - Jul 31

welcome to itfc janoi 4

gloucester_tractor added 18:29 - Jul 31

Good to have him with us , only issue is that's one of outr loan numbers taken up , if we need to use that route

Again welcome and good luck 1

rfretwell added 18:31 - Jul 31

Could Spence be offloaded now we have Janoi. He has never really cut the mustard for me at right back and isn't tough enough for a central defender. Regularly doesn't see danger. Lets hope Janoi lives up to his starring status at Accrington. 3

marcusevans added 18:33 - Jul 31

Janoi Rocks! 11

jas0999 added 18:37 - Jul 31

Good signing. Look forward to seeing him play on Saturday. 3

Mr_Evans added 18:38 - Jul 31

Any idea how’s his name is pronounced? Is it Jan-oi or Yan-oi. And his surname, is it Donna-chi-en? Donnach-ee-en? 1

directwilder added 18:38 - Jul 31

Can only think the 750k fee is because they’re allowing the loan to us for a season? Hence the extra transfer fee? Whatever it is I hope he keeps Knudsen,Spence,Emmanuel,and Kenlock on there toes! I see him starting at LB If tilt comes in! -1

DebsyAngel added 18:43 - Jul 31

Welcome Janoi! Best of luck, and looking forward to seeing you play! A great bit of news on my birthday :D 3

BlueMachines added 18:46 - Jul 31

directwilder. He is a right back or centre half. Don’t see him at LB. 0

Blue56 added 18:47 - Jul 31

Sounds like a good bit of business to me, model professional, ambitious, understandable caution regarding initial loan period, but seems a formality. Will make a big difference to Accrington, sounds like they knew he would want to progress, and sorry to lose him. 6

bluearmy78 added 18:48 - Jul 31

Welcome aboard Janoi, with that amount paid for his services I can’t see him warming the bench! Tilt in next will do nicely, COYB, 4

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:49 - Jul 31

Is it a season loan or if the vis a issues get sorted is the aim to make it permanent before the window closes....





Loan means he's availble for Sat 1

StokeHigh97 added 18:54 - Jul 31

Another good signing who will appreciate the challenge of playing at a higher level: 12

BlueBlood90 added 19:10 - Jul 31

Sounds like a good character and one who hasn’t had everything handed to him on a plate through his career. It sounds like those are the types Hurst really likes to bring in and I like that policy. We know we can’t compete financially with most clubs but we can better them for passion and team spirit which is just as important. 8

norfsufblue added 19:21 - Jul 31

Accrington Stanley...who are they?????













Well someone had to say it !!!

Welcome to Ipswich Janoi 5

BlueThunder74 added 19:23 - Jul 31

Good signing and good to hear he fits in well with PH masterplan! Now we need Tilt or another CB before the weekend. Come on Town get these deals done. 5

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