Gunner Ainsley Maitland-Niles joins Ipswich Town on-loan

Thursday 02 Jul 2015
England U18s midfielder Maitland-Niles joins Ipswich
Ainsley Maitland-Niles aims to "hit the ground running" at Ipswich Town after joining the club on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

The England Under-18s midfielder, who notched one goal in four games for the Young Lions last season, will remain at Portman Road for the full season with no recall clause inserted into the deal.

The teenager, who turns 18 next month, trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Thursday and says he is ready to go ahead of the new campaign.

"It’s been a long wait to get the deal done but I’m here now and I’m ready to work," Ainsley told ITFC.co.uk.

"Arsenal want me to get a bit of experience under my belt and I’m happy to do that. I’m still young and there’s plenty of time for me to develop."

Maitland-Niles made his Gunners debut from the bench during their 4-1 away Champions League win over Galatasaray in December, and four days later he appeared as a substitute to make his Premier League bow against Newcastle United. 

He admits that he is expecting a hard challenge in the Championship, but he feels that it is one he is ready for. 

"The Championship is a tough league but one I feel ready to perform in. The lads have really made me feel welcome here, they are wonderful," he added.

"You can tell there’s a good group here and they’ve helped me settle in really well. I’m ready to work hard in pre-season now and hopefully hit the ground running ahead of the new season."

Maitland-Niles will be hoping to feature for Town when they travel to Brentford away on the opening day of the league campaign on Saturday 8 August.


By Gary Stonehouse Staff Writer