Well-versed in the Championship from a number of loan spells in recent years, 22-year-old Martin told Ipswich's website: "It obviously wasn't an easy decision, leaving a club like Manchester United but I know how ambitious the manager is here and I'm delighted to be part of his plans for the future."

As the countdown to the big kick-off at Coventry on August 9 begins in earnest, the Blues take on Finn Harps of Ireland on Tuesday night in their opening workout ahead of the new campaign.

“We will be taking a decent squad with us and I'll look to give as many of the players as I can a run out but I don't want to keep making changes and slow the game down so we will look at half-time as a chance to change things around a bit," said manager Roy Keane recently.

The game at Finn Park kicks off at 7:45pm. Finn Harps currently lie 8th in the second tier of Irish league football.