The Rams swooped for Kayden Jackson, who was reunited with his ex-Ipswich teammate Marcus Harness on deadline day.
Kieran McKenna believes Marcus Harness’ loan move to Derby County does not mark the end of his Ipswich Town career, and that Kayden Jackson has joined a ‘major club’ in the Rams.
Derby swooped for Harness on the final day of the transfer window, with the attacker expecting to make his debut against Cardiff City this weekend.
Harness is reunited with Jackson, who signed a permanent deal from Portman Road in the summer and has been in fantastic form, scoring three goals so far this season.
Harness is in the final year of his contract, but Town manager McKenna says that does not mean the club will cut relations with the winger who helped Ipswich achieve back-to-back promotions.
“The whole group has such an emotional attachment to each other with what we’ve been through over the last couple of years, so anytime anyone moves on it’s always difficult,” reported McKenna in the Ipswich Star.
“But I believe the positive is that when players leave, you want them to be in a better situation than they were before.
“This has been the situation for those who have departed here in recent years. Greg Leigh, a top character, left last summer and went to Oxford, where he was promoted. Kayden Jackson, a crucial element of what we did, left this summer, signs a long-term contract with a large club in Derby, and begins the season nicely.
“Including the boys who were on loan. Lewis Travis, Jeremy Sarmiento, and Kieffer (Moore) all had a positive experience here, advanced their careers, and a couple of those youngsters have begun the season very well. Jeremy has lately received another nice loan move (to Burnley). Gassan Ahadme was only with the club for a short time before moving on to Charlton. That always makes you feel good.
“Players always follow our best desires. And going on loan does not signify the end of your time with a football club. Sometimes it’s just right for players to go receive minutes.”