Martin joins Keane's Ipswich

Report by Steve Bartram

Lee Martin has joined Roy Keane's Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old winger, who joined the Reds as a 16-year-old, has signed a four-year deal with the Tractor Boys, ending a United career in which he made three first-team appearances.

The bulk of his senior experience came in friendlies and during a spate of loan deals – six in total. Lee spent time with Royal Antwerp, Rangers, Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, before returning to Carrington in late 2008.

There he re-ignited his career with a string of superb performances with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Reserves, culminating in a final senior appearance at Hull City on the final day of last season.

Upon signing for Ipswich, Lee said: “It obviously wasn’t an easy decision, leaving a club like Manchester United, but I know how ambitious the manager is here and I’m delighted to be part of his plans for the future.

"It’s also important for me to be playing regular first-team football and hopefully I can play my part in helping Ipswich get back in the Premier League."

Martin's move reunites him with Ipswich manager Roy Keane, who added: "Lee was a young lad at Manchester United when I was there and he showed a lot of promise. He’s ambitious and wants to get back to the top level and I’m delighted he wants to do that with Ipswich Town."