Ipswich sign Furlong and take Azon on loan

Darnell Furlong has made 247 appearances for West Bromwich Albion

Ipswich Town have signed Darnell Furlong from West Bromwich Albion in a deal worth £4m and also brought in striker Ivan Azon on a season-long loan from Italian club Como.

Right-back Furlong, 29, spent the past six years at The Hawthorns and has started every Championship game this season for the unbeaten Baggies.

The long-throw specialist was Albion's longest-serving player after the retirement of Kyle Bartley.

Ipswich have further strengthened a defence already bolstered by the arrival of veteran Ashley Young from Everton on a free transfer in the summer.

Furlong, who has signed a deal until 2028, adds to a lengthy list of ex-West Brom players at Portman Road, joining Alex Palmer, Conor Townsend, Cedric Kipre, Dara O'Shea and David Button.

"It's a real privilege to be here," Furlong told the Ipswich Town website.

"I've had a look around and I'm really excited and intrigued by the ambition of the club, which is the main reason I wanted to come here.

"I'm looking forward to a new challenge and to kicking on and I can't wait to get started. Ipswich is a club sending out a real signal of intent and to be a part of that is exciting."

Spaniard Azon, 22, joined Como in January from Real Zaragoza.

"It feels amazing to join the club," he said.

"I feel proud and grateful to be here in Ipswich. It's a big club with a really big history and I want to work hard and help the team, making the fans proud."