Scowcroft completes Leicester move

Scowcroft left Ipswich "on good terms"

James Scowcroft has completed a £3m move from Ipswich to Leicester.

Scowcroft was unable to hold down a regular place in the Ipswich side last season, and has signed a deal which will keep him at Filbert Street until the summer of 2005.

He said: "I've worked with Peter Taylor before and he is one of the best coaches I've ever worked with.

"The fact I was not guaranteed first-team football was not a reason for me leaving Ipswich.

I think he will be a very important signing

Leicester boss Peter Taylor

"I'm sure the manager won't guarantee me first team football at Leicester and it's up to me to stake a claim.

"I am not thinking that I will be guaranteed a first team place and it is up to me to stake my claim."

Taylor is a long-term admirer of the 25-year-old striker.

"He has always been on my list. He was one of the best players I worked with for England Under-21s," said Taylor.

"When I first came to the club 12 months ago we had Stan Collymore and I was trying to build around his qualities.

"I was always after the type of player who was good with his back to goal that can be clever enough to go into midfield - and that's how I've always seen James.

"He was played wide right at times at Ipswich which I know he feels is not his best position and if you give him the chance he would prefer to play down the middle as one of the centre-forwards.

"That's what I am offering him so I am very confident he is going to come here and do well for us."

"I think he will be a very important signing."