Academy striker Ben Morris turns 17 today and TWTD understands he is set to put pen to paper on his first professional deal.

Colchester-born Morris, who will be a second-year scholar during the season ahead, will sign a two-year contract as his England U17s team-mates Andre Dozzell and Nick Hayes did when they celebrated their 17th birthdays earlier in the year.

Capped 10 times by England at U17 level, Morris, pictured above at training last week with David McGoldrick, Dean Gerken and Jonathan Douglas, scored his first and so far only international goal in the 2-0 European Championships victory over France in Azerbaijan in the summer.

Speaking in May, manager Mick McCarthy said Morris is currently a little way off a first-team debut. “Ben Morris trains with us on the odd occasion and does really well,” he said.

“But he’s not Murph, he’s not Freddie, he’s not Didz, he’s not Pits, he’s not at that level, but we do think he’ll get there. He’s a good player. Whenever he trains with us, he trains well.”

Photo: Action Images

12th_Man added 12:56 - Jul 6 Congratulations
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muccletonjoe added 13:04 - Jul 6 I think mick is right. Morris will be a top striker in a couple of years.
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ArnieM added 13:39 - Jul 6 another good youngster signed up and coming through our Academy. who he'll needs the over hyped cat one!!
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EastAngliasNo1 added 14:28 - Jul 6 Looks good, already playing for the national team. Hope he doesn't turn into a Marriott.
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Currie10 added 14:34 - Jul 6 Chris t the academy is churning them out at the minute, ridiculous!
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paulcooperisgod added 15:05 - Jul 6 If he's not going to go straight into the team (which I wouldn't expect) he needs to go on too short term loans where he will play plenty of games NOT sit on their bench, and in between loan deals be in and around training and away trips with our first team to get the experience. Please please MM don't big him up an ruin him like MARROIT BOWDICTH CLARKE HAYES etc

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TractorBoy666 added 15:46 - Jul 6 What I dislike most about this way of getting better players into the club is that when they get half decent, we end up selling them to premier league clubs and never hold out and have them help us to reach the premier league. Liked what I saw of Morris in the u17's international team and definitely one for the future, hopefully with Ipswich for some time!
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brian_a_mul added 16:37 - Jul 6 Well done Ben, its great to see a striker coming through the ranks. We are producing players for every position which is brilliant! Bowditch & Billy Clarke all had or having decent careers at a lower level. Haynes has dropped down a few levels which is surprising as he was probably the best of the listed bunch. He has/had genuine pace and a good eye for goal.
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