Town have signed New Zealand U20 international goalkeeper Henry Gray.

The 18-year-old has signed a two-year professional deal with the Blues following a trial.

The Mönchengladbach-born glovesman has been with New Zealand Central League side Waterside Karori, having previously played for A-League club Wellington Phoenix’s reserves.

Gray, who also recently spent time on trial at Australian A-League team Central Coast Mariners where one-time Town defender Andy Bernal is a member of the coaching staff, is currently with the New Zealand U20 squad ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina which gets under way later this week.

The All Whites youngsters face the hosts, Uzbekistan and Guatemala in their group.

Gray won the Golden Gloves award at the 2022 Oceania Football Confederation U19 Championships as New Zealand, the defending champions, won the competition for the eighth time.

Writing on Instagram, Gray thanked his previous clubs and looked forward to his move.

“Thank you to Wellington Phoenix for the time I was with you and the the player I am today," he said.

“But a big thank you to Karori for the best group of lads and coaching staff at a club I’ve been at, the best footballing environment and culture I can think of. Now onto this new opportunity that awaits.”

Karori wished him well via their Facebook account: “Congratulations to our very own goal keeper superstar Henry Gray who has signed a two-year professional deal with Ipswich Town who have just been promoted to the Championship.

“Henry is currently away with the NZ side in Argentina preparing for the U20 World Cup. Henry is a player with a huge amount of talent and potential. As a club we would like to wish him well firstly at the U20 World Cup and then when he puts on the [blue and white] of the newly promoted Ipswich Town. Once a Wharfie, always a Wharfie!”

Gray is the third player to have joined the Blues’ development squad over the last week with central defender Jacob Mazionis and striker Chuks Uzor-Greey also having signed deals.

If he goes on to make a senior appearance for Town, he would become the sixth New Zealand player to feature for the Blues following Lee Norfolk, Tommy Smith, loanees Rory Fallon and Chris Wood, and Monty Patterson.

Photo: AAP

BlueySwede added 10:01 - May 15 Welcome young man! We have often been good on bringing young players through, but I think with the current regime we have stepped up our recruitment a notch or two. These young players could play a massive part in the future, can only be a good thing signing young and hungry players. Of course we need some established players as well, I think we are in for an exciting summer. COYB!

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earlsgreenblue added 10:03 - May 15 Certainty amassing some younger talent, looks like our net is getting larger!
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Suffolkboy added 10:12 - May 15 Open minds, forward planning , utter belief and total positivity at ITFC ,from the top down ! Great stuff ! COYB
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CavendishBlue added 10:12 - May 15 Er.....fifth surely? 0/10 sats re-sit for Phil & Gav........
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PhilTWTD added 10:13 - May 15 Oops, meant sixth, wrote fifth.
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clive_baker added 10:38 - May 15 What an exciting move for the young lad. 18 years old and being offered a professional contract on the other side of the world, 1 league down from the biggest football division in the world. Working with a young and exciting management team that are probably destined for that level themselves. Oh to be 18 again.
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Monkey_Blue added 11:51 - May 15 It's a numbers game with youngsters. Some will make it some won't, but the more you have the more chance you have a couple who have a career and the odd one who is outstanding. All the best to him: 😉💙
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 12:03 - May 15 Now, where did this lad pop up from? Impressive scouting and great to see we are looking to the future long-term. Welcome, Henry!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 12:04 - May 15 PS: You'll have to get rid of that yellow shirt! -:)
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ArnieM added 12:40 - May 15 Excellent news. Another young potential for the development pot … all going in the right direction Town 👍
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BurleysGloryDays added 13:28 - May 15 Great to see the player development and and eventual smart trading program start again with intent. And finding our true brand again - proper footballing side with young exceptionally talented manager and large supportive fanbase highly supportive of youth development on all fronts will only help turn parents' heads away from where they are now.
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Saxonblue74 added 13:46 - May 15 Perhaps the "wider net" is the result if a manager with big connections?
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Tellitasitis added 14:08 - May 15 BD walking the halls as we speak.
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BuckieBlue added 15:45 - May 15 Yes Saxon, be interesting to know how much a signing like that involved KMc (and his contacts). Speaking on the manager excellent interview in yesterday's Observer. Available on their website.
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whosroundisitanyway added 16:49 - May 15 Thanks for that BuckieBlue A great read, further reinforcing my faith in KMc and everything happening at ITFC .
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therein61 added 17:22 - May 15 This club never sleeps anymore it is so professional from A-Z this is another sign of that building for the future instead of stagnating the best part is that nobody knows who we are after until the dotted line is signed.
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DallianAttkinson added 20:12 - May 15 Frank Yallop, just saying Phil!
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DallianAttkinson added 20:15 - May 15 Sorry Phil got Canada and New Zealand mixed up somehow!!
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KiwiBlue2 added 05:15 - May 16 He is a very good prospect and highly rated here. I hope that he makes the ever higher grade over there as it has been a while since a New Zealander was on Town's books. Only Lee Norfolk and much later Tommy Smith come to mind but always happy to be corrected ,,,,,,
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KiwiBlue2 added 05:16 - May 16 whoops did not get as far as the list at the bottom of the article......
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Razor added 10:48 - May 16 This is great news and does indeed show our net is getting bigger----can we expect some European talent coming on board in the summer (some new Dutch players would get us all a little excited I think).
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NorwegianTractor added 15:18 - May 16 Great to see Town signing new young players as well. Thank you to TWDT for keeping us updated, as Towns own webpage is lacking info which is not about first team. The list of players on the U21/18 ( https://www.itfc.co.uk/teams/U21-and-U18-teams/) havent even been updated with players brought in in January (Lavin, Curtis, Foyo, Carr, Ayinde as far as I can tell) and if they bring a match report they only list goal scorers and no lineups. :)

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