Ipswich Town: Goalkeeper Arijanet Muric on joining the Blues

The Blues needed a goalkeeper following Vaclav Hladky’s departure, and they were quick to get their man, with reports of an initial £8 million fee looking like a real bargain for a shot-stopper with top-flight experience.

Muric was drawn to the club by their recent success and their style of play, which he believes will suit his style.

“I’m very glad to get the move done and I’m looking forward to the new season,” he told Town TV.

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“I was open to talk to the club because I saw Ipswich last season and I was really, really impressed. That was the most interesting thing for me, the way they play, it suits me.”

Muric knows Town boss Kieran McKenna from a trial at Manchester United (Image: PA)
Premier League experience is one thing, but the ability to quickly settle into a new environment is another entirely.

Muric has a number of loan spells under his belt, having played in the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey, but he’ll also be helped in Suffolk by his relationship with Kieran McKenna, who he first met in the early stages of his youth career.

“I’ve known him for a long time because I had a trial at [Manchester] United,” he revealed. “He was the manager of the under-18’s then, and during my time at the academy [at Manchester City], I played against them a few times.

“Football wise, he knows me a little bit. We had a great talk together and I’m looking forward to the next years.

The 25-year-old was keen to stay in the Premier League after being relegated with Burnley (Image: PA)

“I believe he knows me very well, the way I play, and I know the way he plays and the team plays. I’m looking forward to getting together.”

He already knows a couple of his new team-mates too, having played with Liam Delap and Cieran Slicker during his time at Man City.

“Of course, they’re a bit younger than me, there’s a big difference, but I know them,” he explained.

“I’ll feel more comfortable and there’ll be some flashbacks.”

On top of that, he also reached out to goalkeeping coach Rene Gilmartin ahead of his move to Portman Road, and he’s excited to form a strong bond with him in the coming months and years.

“I spoke to him a lot of times,” he admitted. “We discussed the way we’re going to work and a lot of things.

“I was very happy and I felt comfortable. I’m sure we’ll have a great relationship together.”

Muric followed Ipswich’s Championship campaign closely, but he was aware of their ability well before they returned to the second tier. Town faced Burnley in the FA Cup back in 2022/23 when they were still in League One, forcing a replay at Turf Moor and pushing the Clarets as far as they could, ultimately conceding in stoppage time.

Muric helped the Clarets win the Championship title in 2022/23 (Image: PA)

The 25-year-old was impressed by what he saw, although he wasn’t named in the squad for either of the two games, and that helped him feel confident that McKenna’s style of play would be suitable for him.

“It suits me, and I’ve watched them as well,” he said. “We played against them in the FA Cup a year ago, and I was already really impressed.

“Even when we played them in the cup, we had talks – me and my old team-mates were thinking the same thing, that Ipswich would do it in the Prem straight away – in a year, that they’ll be up there.

“I’m not surprised.”

The hard work is set to begin soon. Muric could make his debut this weekend as Ipswich face Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk in two hour-long friendly matches in Villach, Austria.

The new Premier League campaign just four weeks later, with the Blues hosting Liverpool on the opening day. The Kosovo international revealed that he was keen to get back to the highest level, and he’s optimistic that his new team can stay there.

“I’ve been in the Championship with Burnley and made the step up like Ipswich did this year,” he explained. “I prefer to stay in the Premier League.

“I want to achieve the maximum - and I believe that we can achieve a lot – the best we can get out of it. I’m pretty positive about it.

“I’ll fly to Austria and meet my new team-mates and the coaches, to get to know them and get started with them.”