Town have confirmed the signing of Notts County keeper Bartosz Bialkowski on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee with an option for a further year.

The move appeared to be on the verge of going through more than a week ago but stalled towards the middle of last week with talks between the clubs having continued.

County had initially been willing to allow the 27-year-old former Poland U20 international, who had a year left on his contract, to move on a free transfer to release some cash for further additions, but were subsequently understood to be after a small fee.

In early June, TWTD reported that Bialkowski would be on Mick McCarthy and keeper-coach Malcolm Webster’s list of potential targets, having been interesting the Blues last summer.

Bialkowski previously spent a short spell on loan with Town in 2009 from Southampton without making a first-team appearance. He was red-carded during his reserves debut in a game at Luton when he handled the ball outside the area with the Hatters bearing down on goal.

The 6ft 4in tall Braniewo-born keeper started his career in his home country with Olimpia ElblÄ…g and Górnik Zabrze before moving to Southampton, where he worked with Webster and ex-Blues boss George Burley, in January 2006.

Another loan spell at Barnsley followed the next season and with his opportunities during his six years at St Mary’s having been limited to just 41 starts and one sub appearance — former Town man Kelvin Davis having been the Saints’ number one for the most part — he joined Notts County on a three-year deal in the summer of 2012. He has gone on to make 92 appearances for the Magpies.

Photo: ITFC

Apologies for the earlier confusion.

Photo: Action Images

flatos97 added 14:41 - Jul 15 Glad that's cleared up then. Welcome to Ipswich!
5

ipswichtillidie added 14:42 - Jul 15 Pleased.. Finally,,, Think he will end up being our No1.
2

olly3008 added 14:46 - Jul 15 Undisclosed fee!? CLEGG OUT
3

MaySixth added 14:47 - Jul 15 Free or transfer fee? Welcome aboard Bartosz.
0

AbujaBlue added 14:49 - Jul 15 Very happy with this. He is approaching the best years for a goalkeeper and certainly had his plaudits while at Notts County. Welcome!
7

kerryblue747 added 14:50 - Jul 15 Welcome,
0

Michael11 added 14:51 - Jul 15 Nice to see another new signing. 27 years old is a very good age for a goalkeeper so hopefully his best years will be with Town.
4

dirtyboy added 14:54 - Jul 15 Fingers crossed he's ample competition for Gerken or better. Happy with the small adjustments being made this year, no overhaul needed just a few tweaks here and there.
3

Jimmy86 added 14:55 - Jul 15 Welcome bartosz, good to finally get the deal done and it shows that Mick really wanted to sign him. Personally hope he nails down the number 1 spot, because although gerken did well last season for the most part he always had a mistake in him. Having seen the video of bart on youtube his shot stopping is brilliant and he has good stature for a keeper. Hopefully he'll play tommorow night. Welcome to town

3

JWM added 15:01 - Jul 15 Just when I thought things were going well...
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BlueSwede added 15:14 - Jul 15 Good news. Great to get the deal done now. Btw, see that Arsenal is on the verge of signing two new rightbacks in Manquillo and Debuchy. How about trying to go for Carl Jenkinson in on a season-long loan?
0

DurhamTownFan added 15:16 - Jul 15 So, where is he actually from again? Not sure where Braniewo is or where Olimpia ElblÄ…g and Górnik Zabrze play their games! Not that it matters: welcome to the club, son!
1

jabberjackson added 15:21 - Jul 15 Oh Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Anderson Quite remarkable
0

brendenward35 added 15:23 - Jul 15 JWM take it you haven't read the Notts County forums today? the fans are guttered to lose their best player so why are you so negative? I think his here to be first choice not to play second fiddle to Gerken otherwise why would Town any any kind of a fee? Things are going well manager and coach on 3 year contracts and they are attracting players to the club remember to dark times when we wouldn't have attracted any players times are changing for the good. Most managers would have said bye bye to Marcus Evans when they given little funds for player but Mick is sticking with the club and his happy that really says a lot for the guy. What's the saying "in Mick we trust" lol

6

PhilTWTD added 15:29 - Jul 15 DurhamTownFan Sorry, he's Polish, thought I'd mentioned that. Added in.
1

JWM added 15:34 - Jul 15 brenden I trust Mick completely but I just dont rate this Keeper! Time will tell....
-4

cats_whiskers added 15:35 - Jul 15 After watching the video of him on another website. He certainly appears to have some quick and impressive reactions to shots which I couldn't see Gerken pulling off. So certainly looking a very good acquisition for a probable nominal transfer fee.
1

brassy added 15:38 - Jul 15 might be a clue it says former under 20 polish international.COYB.
2

BlooooCD added 15:47 - Jul 15 Great addition and looking forward to seeing him at PR. However, looking at his highlights video he doesn't catch many shots?!?! He is a great stopper but he parries everything for corners.. And defending corners are not our strength. But I'm just picking holes, welcome on board Bart!
1

battyblue added 16:13 - Jul 15 Was it Yesterday Mick was saying he would not be paying any fees or was i mistaken,nice to get another keeper cant comment on his ability so will wait and see before i call him a world beater or just ordinary but welcome i hope you do the business for us.
3

DurhamTownFan added 16:13 - Jul 15 Thanks, Phil! He should find it easy to settle in Ipswich I reckon. That's a good thing for us!
0

arc added 16:16 - Jul 15 Any ideas on pronunciation? The name being Polish it's bound not to be straightforward ;-)
0

DaneITFC added 16:25 - Jul 15
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ITFCJacob added 16:47 - Jul 15 I think everyone is getting a bit too excited... not great news IMO
-1

TimmyH added 17:00 - Jul 15 People are always quick to show the players highlights on video once a signing is made but good to keep a balanced view and see the 'other' side...now it's down to him to show us what he's made of, wish him all the best while he's here. Hopefully his communication with the back four will be not a problem as we know this is all important! Good luck Bart.
3

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