Ipswich Town: Alex Palmer discusses deadline day move to Portman Road

Was he aware of interest from Ipswich Town when he stepped out onto the pitch at Home Park to play in West Brom’s 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon? We may never know. From the outside, it seems like this move came about quite quickly.

Rumours first began to spread yesterday morning. It then became clear that the 28-year-old was indeed making the move to Suffolk, which was confirmed just after 9pm – less than two hours before the window slammed shut.

“It’s been hectic, but that’s football,” Palmer told Town TV.

“I think it’s an exciting time for me to embrace a new challenge, so I’m excited to be here.”

The fact that he sees this as the right opportunity to leave West Brom is something that deserves some recognition.

Palmer began in the Baggies’ youth academy back in 2010, when he was just 14. Aside from some loan spells – most of which were brief emergency moves to cover injuries at other clubs – he hasn’t spent much time away from the Hawthorns.

In fact, he even turned down the chance to move to the Premier League in the summer of 2023. His club had agreed a fee with Luton Town to allow him to move to Kenilworth Road, but he opted to stay.

When Ipswich called, however, it was an offer that was too good to turn down, but he still leaves West Brom with a heavy heart.

“When you spend that amount of time somewhere, it’s obviously going to be a hard decision,” he admitted.

The goalkeeper had only ever left West Brom on loan before making the switch to Suffolk (Image: PA)

“But I felt it was the right time for me to try a new thing and take a new pathway. I think that’s all part of life.

“I’ve had a great time and met some great people at West Brom, so I wish them all the best.

“I’m looking forward to a new challenge here.”

That new challenge really had to appeal to Palmer for him to make such a big move at the very end of the transfer window.

Manager Kieran McKenna clearly played a big part in the move, but he also bought into the project and is pleased that there will be quite a few familiar faces in his new dressing room.

“You see it as a club that’s going places and is on a good trajectory,” Palmer explained. “Everything that I’ve heard about the manager is nothing but positive.

“Coming here and being part of a group that has achieved a lot of things in a short space of time is really exciting.

“I know a few of the lads and have heard good things about the rest of them.

“It makes it a bit easier for that transition. I’m sure I’ll speak to them a lot over the next few weeks and they will help me settle in.”

Palmer watched on as Ipswich secured promotion from the Championship last season. He was impressed by the way they did it and has fond memories of the two games that West Brom played against Town, especially the draw in Suffolk.

“They were both tough games,” he recalled. “I think one of the highlights of last season was the game at Portman Road, which ended 2-2. The last 15, 20 minutes were incredible.

The 28-year-old enjoyed the Baggies' games against Town last season (Image: PA)

“The atmosphere that was made by you guys was something to remember. I think we all went away thinking, ‘wow, that was some game, a proper game of football’.

“I think that was one of the lasting memories I’ll have, and hopefully we’ll have a few more of those.

“I’ve only played here a handful of times. That makes it an exciting time, where I get to move to a different part of the country.

“That’s football, the highs and lows of it.

“It’s good to see different places that you might not have. This will be my home for the foreseeable.”

Ipswich, of course, have three goalkeepers already.

Christian Walton, who’s currently sidelined with a groin injury, is a traditional goalkeeper. Arijanet Muric is more unorthodox, although his poor form has seen him fall out of the starting lineup. Town rate Cieran Slicker highly, but he isn’t ready for regular Premier League minutes at this stage in his career.

It opens the door for Palmer to become the Blues’ new first choice, and based on his description of himself, he sounds like a safe pair of hands.

“I’d like to say that I’m pretty solid,” he stated.

“I’m vocal, I try to command my box. I think the defenders will know I’m there! That’s what I’d say about myself.

“I’m fit and raring to go.”

The last 18 months suggest that Palmer has what it takes to step up to the Premier League.

Palmer believes that he can help Ipswich survive in the Premier League (Image: ITFC/Matchday Images)

Last season, he shared the Championship Golden Glove with Leeds United’s Illan Meslier. This season, in just 30 matches in the second tier, he conceded just 27 goals and kept 11 clean sheets.

“That’s what I wanted to look back on,” he said. “I’d like to say that I’ve contributed to a difficult but successful period (at West Brom).

For me, it’s been great to eventually get there and become the no.1 at a club that I was at for so long.

“I’ve had a good few years there, I’ve done my bit and I’m ready for the next chapter.”

All eyes are on the second half of the season, which will be Palmer’s first in the top tier. He knows exactly what he wants to achieve and is confident that he can help make it happen.

“I’ve come here with one aim – to keep us in the Premier League,” he revealed. “That’s what I’ve hopefully come here to do and play a part in.”

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