"I worked under the manager at Sunderland and know his style and what he wants and he is obviously a big factor in me coming here but the reason I've joined Ipswich is to get back in the Premier League.
"I want to be a top player and play at the top level and I've joined a club that I think gives me a chance to achieve that. I know about the background of Ipswich and what they want to do here and it's a club that is moving in the right direction.
"It will be a long, hard season. It always is in the Championship. It's a difficult league to get out of and there will be 10 or 12 clubs that feel they can go up and we are one of them.
"It's going to be a big task but it's one that I'm relishing taking on. I'm at the stage in my career where I needed a new challenge and while Sunderland have been my club since I was seven or eight, it wasn't a difficult decision to leave. Once I knew Ipswich wanted me, my mind was made up straightaway and I can't wait to get going."
Full player profile and stats on Grant Leadbitter to follow shortly.