Town unveil Pim

6:33am Tuesday 17th June 2008

Pim Balkestein is ready to scare' Coca-Cola Championship strikers after completing his move to Ipswich Town.

The Dutch defender has joined for an undisclosed fee from Heerenveen and signed an initial two-year deal with the Blues.

The 21-year-old, who has the option of a third year if things go well, spent time on trial at the club last season and played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.

"I've always watched English football on TV and dreamed of playing at a club like Ipswich," Balkestein told the Gazette.

"It's such a wonderful club and everyone has been very friendly so far.

"I see it as a place where I can improve myself and I can't wait to play at their beautiful stadium.

connection "They're certainly a big club in Holland and I've always been aware of the Dutch connection - they've had some big players here over the years and hopefully I can be the next one."

Balkestein - who never played a first-team game for Herenveen but starred for their under-23 side - is highly-rated and was approached by more than one Premier League side, plus seven in the Championship.

"I look up to players like Marco Materazzi (the Italian World Cup-winning centre-half," said the 6ft 3ins defender.

"Strikers are scared when they come up against him and I want to do the same thing in the Championship.

"I like to battle and try and win the ball and one of the things that struck me in the trial game was the fact the referee wasn't constantly blowing his whistle.

"I like the physical style of the game here and think it will suit me."

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