Ipswich Town have announced that Moritz Volz has completed his season-long loan move from Fulham. The 25-year-old is likely to make his debut for the Blues at Watford on Saturday.
Boss Jim Magilton said “We’re delighted that Moritz has joined us and he will be in the squad for Saturday’s game against Watford.
“He’s a top professional who has spent his career in England playing at Premier League level. He’s believes he is a Premier League player. I believe that as well, so we have got a very good player on our hands.
“He will add some extra quality to the squad and is another step towards taking us where we want to be.”
Town agreed a fee now reported to be £250,000 with Fulham for a permanent deal almost a fortnight ago with the player subsequently weighing up whether or not to make the switch. Volz played only 12 times for Fulham last season and has not featured this year.
The former German U21 international wasn’t keen to drop out of the Premier League on a permanent basis, preferring instead to initially move on loan before committing himself to a longer term switch.
The 25-year-old moved from Schalke 04 in his home country to Arsenal in 1999 and was in their U18 side which beat the Blues in the semi-final of the 2000/01 FA Youth Cup. Coincidentally, the 5ft 10in tall defender had made his senior debut in Town’s 2-1 League Cup victory over the Gunners at Highbury earlier that season.
Volz made only one other appearance for Arsenal from the bench and moved out on loan to Wimbledon and then Fulham, making that switch permanent in January 2004 for a nominal fee.
The former German U21 international has become a cult figure during his time at Craven Cottage, cycling to matches on a foldaway bike and making fun of German stereotypes on his surreal website www.volzy.com.
Earlier this year he was awarded Professional Players Federation Community Champion Award, the judges describing him as a “shining example of good community work”.
Primarily a right-back although having played across the back four and in midfield, Volz has made 133 starts and 11 sub appearances and has scored four goals during his five years in West London. Volz is the club’s first ever German player.
