Ipswich Town are pleased to announce the signing of Dan Neal on loan from Sunderland. The midfielder's contract runs until the end of the season, and he becomes the club's second signing in the January transfer window, following Anies Mehmedi's arrival from Bristol City.  

Dan Neil spent his entire career with Sunderland, playing a pivotal role in the team's two promotions, helping them rise from League One to the Premier League. In their second promotion, he captained the team to victory in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium in May 2025.  

Since making his professional debut in September 2020, Dan Neal has made 201 appearances for Sunderland, scoring 12 goals. Following the signing, manager Kieran McKenna said: "We are delighted to have Dan Neal join the team. He is a versatile midfielder who can play in several different positions."  

"Of course, he has gained a wealth of experience in the Championship and helped the team achieve promotion last season. He is an experienced, capable, and well-behaved player. I believe he will provide important assistance to the team in the remainder of the season."  

Dan Neal will wear the number 6 jersey at Ipswich Town. He said: "I played for Sunderland for many years, and that experience was very important to my life and career, but now I'm ready to start a new chapter. After careful consideration, it's clear that Ipswich Town is the best choice for me."  

"The head coach wants the team to play a style of football that is basically consistent with my personal preferences. This is a great opportunity for me to continue to grow into a better player here, and hopefully achieve some results."  

“I’m a midfielder who prefers to control the ball and dictate the pace of the game. But over the years, I’ve also come to realize that my contributions off the ball are just as important, especially in this level of league. I’m good at organizing the team through communication, which is probably my main strength. I can’t wait to get started.”  

Image source: Internet/Ipswich official website