CONFIRMED: Matthew Pennington joins Ipswich Town on loan

UPDATE: Friday 5:31pm BST

Everton have confirmed that Pennington has indeed gone on loan to the Tractor Boys, on a season-long deal.

Everton defender Matthew Pennington is likely headed out on a loan move. With the transfer window for the EFL closing this evening for all loan deals, the Liverpool Echo are reporting that the centrehalf is headed south to Ipswich Town to work out the terms of a season-long half-season move. This latest update comes from local newspaper the East Anglian Daily Times.

The 23-year-old signed a new deal with the club earlier this summer after spending last season on loan at Leeds United. Pennington had done decently enough for Leeds, featuring in 24 games altogether and multiple Yorkshire sources had reported that the club were preparing a contract for the central defender but Everton beat them to it, keeping him at the club he joined as an 11-year-old.

The Blues have a good relationship with Ipswich Town, sending them Callum Connolly on loan last season and he thrived as their utility man in defence and midfield. Pennington might get to start right away, stepping in for the suspended Toto Nsiala in Sunday’s clash against Norwich City who knocked out Premier League side Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup midweek.

Pennington was on the bench for the midweek clash against Rotherham United with the centreback pairing facing a crisis - Phil Jagielka will return from his three-game suspension after tomorrow, while Yerry Mina and Michael Keane remain out. We can expect Lucas Digne to support that position against Huddersfield.