TEENAGE defender Tyrone Mings has left Chippenham Town to join Ipswich Town on an 18-month contract.
Mings, 19, started out at Southampton, where he played alongside Arsenal and England winger Alex Odlade-Chamberlain in the Saints’ youth team.
After being released by the Saints he dropped down into the Non-League game to sign for Yate Town and remained with them until September this year when he made the switch to Southern League Premier Division Chippenham.
The defender, who can play at either left-back or centre-back, was handed the chance to show what he can do at a behind-closed-doors friendly between Ipswich and the Nike Academy on Monday and put in an impressive performance.
He is now put pen-to-paper on a professional deal with the Tractor Boys, who are currently 20th in the second tier of English football, five points above the relegation zone.
Speaking about his arrival, Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy told the club’s website: “He played at left-back. He’s quick, he’s 6ft 3in, he loves a tackle. He’s only 19 but plays the game like a bloke. He’s a good talker, organises and we’re delighted to have him in.
“He’s going to be in and around the squad pretty quickly if he shows everything he did on Monday. There is loads to work with. We are going to give him an opportunity and it will be great if it works out.”
