Jon Stead has joined Ipswich Town on a loan deal until 1st January 2009 and the two clubs have agreed a transfer fee should the move eventually become permanent.

The 25 year old sealed the deal early this afternoon and immediately headed down to Suffolk where he will link up again with former United team-mate Alan Quinn.

Town sold target man Alan Lee to Crystal Palace last week so Stead - who netted 11 goals in 32 starts at the Lane - will expect to get an immediate starting berth.

Kevin Blackwell completed his first bit of transfer deadline business and said:

"It's an opportunity for Jon to play - naturally he wants to start games and I cannot guarantee that here at the moment."