Former Portsmouth and Blackburn loanee George Hirst's revealing first words as he makes permanent switch to Ipswich

Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna was also key to the striker’s permanent switch for an undisclosed fee, with the former Pompey loanee claiming the Northern Irishman is the ‘best’ manager he’s worked under.

Hirst has signed a four-year deal, after spending the second half of last season on loan at Portman Road from Leicester.

His six goals in 21 appearances helped the Suffolk outfit claim promotion back to the Championship, and both club and player were keen for a blossoming relationship to continue moving forward as McKenna & Co seek to make an impact on their long-awaited return to the second tier.

The move will guarantee some much-needed stability for the 24-year-old, who has been loaned out four times over the past three seasons.

Many Pompey fans hoped the front man had finally found a home at Fratton Park, where he bagged 15 league goals over the second half of the 2021-22 campaign.

Yet a move never materialised, with Danny Cowley’s hopes of a second coming shattered when Hirst opted for a loan switch to Blackburn.

In fairness, Pompey quickly moved on, with Colby Bishop bagging 24 goals in all competitions during his maiden season at PO4 last term.

And so it appears that Hirst has as well, as he was unveiled as Ipswich’s third signing of the transfer window.

Speaking of his delighted with the move, he said: ‘Ipswich has felt like home for the last six months and that’s a big part of why I wanted to come back here so much.

‘The last few months of last season were massive for me, doing what we did as a team, and that was something I wanted to carry on being part of for sure.

‘The reception I got from the fans, players and staff here was brilliant, so I’m delighted to be back here and I’m looking forward to the challenge of the Championship.

‘The manager improved my game massively and he’s probably the best I’ve worked with, both him and his staff, and it helped my development no end. Once you have got that taste you don’t want to go back.

‘He has been absolutely amazing for me – long may it continue.’

Read also: 'Taken it onto another level' - Former Pompey favourite George Hirst compares Fratton Park with new home at Ipswich