FORMER Colchester United striker Macauley Bonne has signed for Ipswich Town on a season-long loan.

The 25-year-old striker, who made 82 senior appearances in total during his time at Colchester, scoring 16 goals, has joined Town on loan from Championship club QPR.

Bonne, who was at Ipswich at academy level, says he is looking forward to pulling on the Ipswich shirt.

Bonne told iFollow Ipswich: “It’s been 12 years since I left here when I was a kid and it’s great to be back.

“I’m a Town fan and as soon as I heard about the opportunity to come back here and play for the first-team, the team that I essentially love, it was a no-brainer. I can’t wait to get going now.

“Paul Cook is a character. He’s been dying to get it over the line.

"He seems like a guy I really want to work with and do well under, and it seems like he wants the same for me so that’s all I can ask for.”

Gazette:

Bonne made 25 starts and 59 substitute appearances during his time with Colchester.

The Ipswich-born forward scored his first professional goal on his 18th birthday when he netted for Colchester against Peterborough in October 2013.

Bonne's contract at the U's expired in June 2017 and he joined Leyton Orient, where he scored 49 goals in 102 games.

The Zimbabwe international was Orient's top goalscorer during both of his two seasons at the O's, scoring more than 20 goals in each campaign.

Bonne then left Orient in June 2019 and signed a three-year contract with Charlton Athletic, who paid in the region of £200,000 for the forward.

He left the League One side in October 2020 and signed for Rangers for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £2million.

Bonne scored three goals in nine starts and 26 sub appearances for QPR, last season.

Town CEO Mark Ashton added: “We are obviously delighted to get the deal done and welcome Macauley back to Ipswich Town.

“He has Championship experience and we wish him every success at this football club.

“It’s been a busy 24 hours and we are moving forward with one or two other additions as well that we hope to get over the line as soon as possible.”