IPSWICH Town have moved swiftly to fill the vacant void left by the sacking of Jim Magilton with a sensational swoop for Roy Keane.The former Manchester United midfielder and Sunderland boss has today been officially confirmed as the new Ipswich Town boss on a two-year contract.

IPSWICH Town have moved swiftly to fill the vacant void left by the sacking of Jim Magilton with a sensational swoop for Roy Keane.

The former Manchester United midfielder and Sunderland boss has today been officially confirmed as the new Ipswich Town boss on a two-year contract.

A statement from the club said: 'Ipswich Town Football Club today announced the appointment of Roy Keane as manager on a two year contract.

Keane started his playing career in England at Nottingham Forest before going on to experience phenomenal success as a player and captain for Manchester United over a 12 year period between 1993 and 2005.

He had a year at Celtic, the club he grew up supporting, before moving into the world of management, becoming Sunderland boss in August 2006. He took over at the Stadium of Light with the Black Cats second from bottom of the Championship and transformed their fortunes, taking them to the Premier League that season as champions.

The former Republic of Ireland skipper, with 66 caps to his name, kept Sunderland in the Premier League in 2007/08 but after a disappointing start to the 2008/09 campaign, he stood down as boss in early December.

Commenting on the appointment, Club owner Marcus Evans said: 'I am delighted that Roy has agreed to join us and we are completely aligned in our ambitions for Ipswich Town.

'He has extensive contacts in the game and is a proven winner who encourages his team to play the attractive football that Ipswich Town fans have come to expect. I believe he is the right man to take this Club where we want to be - the Premier League.'

Town Chief Executive Simon Clegg added: 'The appointment of Roy Keane further demonstrates our commitment to help Ipswich Town Football Club achieve our aim of returning to the Premier League at the earliest possible opportunity. Roy has experienced promotion as Championship winners as a manager and, importantly then kept his side in English football's top flight and I am looking forward to working with him.'

Roy Keane said of his new role: 'I truly believe that I am joining a club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side. The club's owner and Chief Executive impressed upon me their total focus on achieving this quest at the earliest opportunity and I can't wait to get started.'