Ireland's Sammie Szmodics will play Premier League football after signing for newly-promoted side Ipswich Town today. The 28-year-old has joined from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

The former Blackburn Rovers player scored 33 goals in all competitions and won the Championship Golden Boot.

After several links to other Premier League clubs, such as Everton, the Irish player has agreed to join Kieran McKenna at Portman Road.

Szmodics, speaking via the club's website, admitted that the move to the Premier League is a dream come true.

“There’s always been interest since I was a kid, but it just felt right this time with the challenge of the Premier League.

“After speaking to a couple of the lads, including Lewis Travis, who was here last season, they just pushed me and said that I need to come and work under this manager, which is something I can’t wait to do.

“It’s every boy’s dream to play in the Premier League, and I’ve always said to my friends, family, and agents that I’ll get to the top one day.

“There’s nothing more I want than to score at Portman Road for Ipswich Town. I am over the moon to be here and looking forward to the season ahead.”

McKenna, one of the most highly regarded managers in English football, believes that Szmodics’s move to the club will benefit all parties in their Premier League campaign.

“That was shown last year with the fantastic season he had at Blackburn and the goals he scored throughout the campaign, including one at Portman Road, of course.

“He has a real knack for scoring goals and works so hard for the team both on and off the ball. He knows many of the players here, as well as some of the staff, and has ties to the club and to the area.

“This is a move that works for all parties, and he has rightfully earned the chance to play in the Premier League, which I know he is delighted to do at this club.

“His arrival gives us another really versatile forward player who can operate in different roles and systems, giving us a big goal threat and plenty of other qualities to add to the team.”

Ipswich play Liverpool in the early kick-off on Saturday. The game kicks off at 12:30 p.m.