Ipswich Town have signed 19-year old Tyrone Mings on an 18-month contract.
The defender arrives at Portman Road from Chippenham Town after coming through the Southampton youth academy and will now ply his trade in the Championship as he looks to win a more permanent contract.
"It's just been a crazy time really," Mings said.
"This time last week I was working as a mortgage broker. Something I have been doing for nine months.
"Then I found out at the end of last week that Ipswich wanted me to come in and play a friendly. After the game the manager (Mick McCarthy) said he'd like to sign me and here we are. It's been a bit of a whirlwind.
"There have been a few clubs said to be interested but nothing has materialised until now. This is a life-changing opportunity for me and I've got to make sure I take it."
McCarthy added: "Tyrone has a pedigree of being at a club with his time at Southampton and through Russell (Osman) and Steve McCall, who became aware of him, we brought him here on Monday to have a look at him against the Nike Academy.
"He played left-back. He's quick, he's 6ft 3in, he loves a tackle. He's only 19 but plays the game like a bloke. He's a good talker, organises and we're delighted to have him in."
