Midfielder Andre Dozzell has signed a new contract with the Blues which will keep him at Portman Road until the summer of 2020.

Dozzell turns 18 today which allows him to put pen to paper on a contract longer than the two-year deal he signed on his 17th birthday.

“I’ve been in and around the first-team this season and that’s my goal, to play regularly for the team,” Dozzell told the club site.

“That is the only thing that will keep me improving and that is what I’m focused on.

“It was hard when I wasn’t involved over the first half of the season but I can see why I wasn’t.

happy to sign a new contract on my birthday, thanks for the love & messages .. https://t.co/0TB8rnKLC4– AD23 (@andredozzell) May 2, 2017

"The Championship is a tough league and it’s difficult to throw someone of my age into those types of games but I’ve been working hard in the gym to become bigger and stronger.”

The former Copleston High School pupil came through the academy and has now made eight senior starts and three sub appearances.

The England U18 international's only first-team goal so far was his header scored after coming on as a sub at Sheffield Wednesday this time last season, emulating his father Jason's feat of scoring a debut goal aged only 16.

Photos: TWTD/ITFC

TractorCam added 17:03 - May 2 Happy days!
15

Ferguson added 17:09 - May 2 That's more like it - something to look forward to at last ! If he's only half as good as his Dad that'll do for me. Keep 'em coming.
13

iaintaylorx added 17:14 - May 2 Brilliant news. Now get in a manager who can help him become the player he is capable of!!
17

bluejake78 added 17:23 - May 2 Thank goodness for that.
10

jas0999 added 17:28 - May 2 Excellent news. I sort of understand the reluctance to play him. But equally would he have offered less than say Douglas?
10

12th_Man added 17:29 - May 2 Shame he won't get a look in under Dinosaur Mick
1

BotesdaleBlue added 17:32 - May 2 On oasis of good news in a desert of doom.
8

mutters added 17:33 - May 2 Great signing by the club. Nice work all round, shows that Jason must have confidence in Andres development here. Positive news. Good move by the club
15

Seasider added 17:40 - May 2 Good news
10

cat added 17:44 - May 2 Great news, if we can get a few of the youth gentle bedded into the first team over the course of next season then this will certainly help with our limited budget, coupled with the fact there's nothing quite like "one of our own" gracing the team sheet on match day!
9

Mark added 17:55 - May 2 Good news. We must find a way to get youth more involved, rather than the odd appearance only to fill in for a more experienced player. From memory only Smith and Wickham went from the academy to first choice first teamers over ten years, and that is terrible given the importance we place on the academy. Hopefully Kenlock will be next, but when Knudsen maybe Myles will drop back to the bench.

8

therein61 added 17:59 - May 2 Now develop this excellent prospect in the correct manner get him on the park he will gain nothing watching the proper bloke premiership class cart horse Skuse showing him how a complete(waste of space)midfielder performs.
2

Bluebell added 18:15 - May 2 Great news. Good to think that Jason still has faith in Ipswich Town. I just hope that next season he will get the chance to show what he can do. He needs to bulk up a bit and has the summer to do that. I can see him getting starts ahead of Bishop and Hyam next season.
7

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 18:29 - May 2 Some good news at last. Young lad like him can come back significantly physically stronger after a summer.
4

sixtyblue added 18:57 - May 2 As long as Mick is still here no youngsters will get chance.If none of the older players are released I've at least eight to ten of them it will be the same old dull insipid I don't know what to do McCarthy rubbish
0

HALLSJ added 19:06 - May 2 Excellent news, well done
5

Daleyitfc added 19:28 - May 2 3 more years kicking his heels then : I doubt he'll put up with it for that long.
-5

Swn98 added 19:35 - May 2 good news another example how mm knows how to nurture talent without.
-2

BlueNomad added 19:54 - May 2 As usual this board turns a piece of good news into a slagging of MM.
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woohoo added 20:04 - May 2 Good news and wish him well.
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cornishblu added 20:16 - May 2 Happy Days Andre ......thank you for committing to the club...lets hope we look after you in return !!
5

TractorBeezer added 20:22 - May 2 Good!
2

grumpyoldman added 20:34 - May 2 MM does not nurture the talent, Brian Klug nurtures them, they play a certain way for the under 23s, then have to change to MMs style in the first team. Ask people at the club all the teams up to under 23s play with the ball on the deck passing the ball, thank god not everybody at the club is under the influence of MM
5

Sam added 20:36 - May 2 Good.
2

cat added 20:37 - May 2 PragmaticBlue - you're sentiments match your post, double standards spring to mind. Swn98 - Are you capable of posting without trying 'GOAD' anyone?? I think you put NURTURE instead of STIFLE BTW!! lol
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