Striker Connor Wickham has signed a new contract aimed at keeping him at the club until 2013. The 17-year-old, who was previously contracted until the summer of 2012, has been the subject of intense speculation and has been linked with numerous Premier League clubs, but the new deal should bring an end to that, for the time being at least.

England U21 international Wickham told the club site: "I've been here since I was 12 years old and feel I'm at the right club to progress as a player.

"I'm enjoying my football at Ipswich Town and am looking forward to the future here and playing my part in helping the club reach the Premier League."

Paul Jewell, the new Town boss, added: "Connor is a terrific prospect, although we have to remember he's still only 17.

"He's got a lot of learning to do but he's got a good attitude and has shown he wants to do that.

"I'm looking forward to working with him and hopefully one day he will be playing in the Premier League - with Ipswich Town."

Town chief executive Simon Clegg was pleased to have tied the Hereford-born youngster to the club for a longer period: "We're obviously delighted that Connor has committed himself to the club by signing a long term contract.

"He's viewed as a very good prospect by people at this club - and in the game in general - and we are now confident that we will see him in an Ipswich Town shirt for many years to come."

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

MyBlueHeaven added 20:26 - Jan 21 hadleighblueboy - you is on the money. don't know why everyone is so excited about this. well, i do - they're not looking at the bigger picture. at end of this season Wickham would've only had one year left on contract, so adding a year means we get a better price for him in the summer. so... he's gone at end of season ladies and gentlemen.
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lincolnshireblue added 20:33 - Jan 21 If it is a case of him gone in the summer then doing something like this to get the best price is a good thing. However, we should be looking at keeping him and getting a few more like him in plus some older more experienced players and push on. Lets not worry about the summer, we still have half the season to worry about.
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Barhamblue added 20:34 - Jan 21 This has just made my weekend. All respects to the lad and his family who has always said he was happy at town. He really is a true blue. Cheers Connor, top bloke!
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Garv added 21:10 - Jan 21 17. I wonder how much he is on
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dude added 21:14 - Jan 21 you've made the right choice connor :)
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tractorblue99 added 21:43 - Jan 21 Good to see he's obviously not going for a big money offer (unlike most players) proves hw does it for the football. A goal tommorow from him and i'll be happy season ticket holder. COYB.
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fifeblue added 22:01 - Jan 21 @itfc1981 - Le Tisser never played for Town!
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corshamblue added 22:07 - Jan 21 Look at how thick that book is, packed with new contracts !!!!
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AdmiralFunge added 22:12 - Jan 21 Yes Connor! Superb news....
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HighgateBlue added 22:58 - Jan 21 I don't know what the hell he's wearing, but it's great news for the club that he's signed. Good luck lad!
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bluechick added 23:10 - Jan 21 great news wqe can command a decent fee now rather than being f*cked over at a tribuneral.
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Guthrum added 23:34 - Jan 21 -HighgateBlue: "I don't know what the hell he's wearing" His Jedi robes, of course!
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Radlett_blue added 08:00 - Jan 22 He's left handed!
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PeekFreans added 08:18 - Jan 22 lovely jubbley
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jas0999 added 08:38 - Jan 22 Good news - now hopefully Wickham will settle and start showing the type of form we saw from him at the end of last season. Now Clegg needs to make a decision on the out of contract players.Three options: a) sign them up b) sell them now c) do neither and let their contracts expire, allowing them to leave on a free (no bad thing with some of the players).
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ElvisMariner added 10:46 - Jan 22 Fantastic news
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CSInvestigator added 11:37 - Jan 22 COYB Wickham to spearhead the team in the 2011/2012 season!
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