Blues boss Kieran McKenna says Conor Chaplin and Massimo Luongo, who have signed new deals with the club this week, are important members of his squad.

Yesterday, Town’s 29-goal 2022/23 top scorer Chaplin put pen to paper on a new three-year deal, tying him to the Blues until the summer of 2026, while Luongo, who was out of contract, has signed on until the end of the campaign ahead.

“It’s good news for all concerned really, because Conor has been a really important player for us since the day I walked in the door,” McKenna told the club site regarding Chaplin’s new deal.

“From a cultural point of view, it was very clear to see he would be someone who fully understood the ideas we wanted to implement. He bought into them from the first day.

“He’s a fantastic member of the group, is popular and a great support to his teammates.

“He has qualities we really want to try and make the best of and he’s worked really hard to keep improving. He loves football, wants to learn every day and is a really important part of the group.

“We’re delighted he has signed a new deal and I know he is now looking forward to the next challenge of helping the club in the next division.

“Now he will want to go and show the qualities he showed last year in a higher division.”

On Australian international Luongo, he added: “It’s a well-earned extension at the club for Massimo.

“He had played such a massive role for us in the second half of last season, not just when he was in the team but during the initial period where he was building up his fitness.

“He showed his qualities as a player and as a person and added experience and composure to the whole group. He brought that to the training ground and to the pitch whenever he came.

“He is such an intelligent footballer who was able to adapt quickly to our style as a team and the role we wanted him to play. He grasped things so well and put his own slant on them as well, so we’re delighted to have him with us next season.

“He has Championship and international experience as well, so he’s a high quality and versatile player who we think will be an important member of the squad next season.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Bluedocker added 17:53 - Jun 13 Maybe quash the rumours about yourself In the Interview too...🤷🏼‍♂️
-5

joyousblue added 18:04 - Jun 13 Why should he bluedockee , hes not the one spreading rumours that are so intrue its kinda funny , best thing he can do is not even mention it
5

hoppy added 18:04 - Jun 13 Bluedocker, doesn't this bit do that, if you need it to?... "...so we're delighted to have him with us next season" Alternatively, as he's under contract and possibly doesn't seem to feel the need to quash rumours that have no basis to them?
7

terryf added 18:24 - Jun 13 Blue docker...what rumours??? There arn't any....it's all paper talk from the media filling in column space and speculating. McKenna has only just started his journey and will be with us for sometime.
4

d77sgw added 19:49 - Jun 13 See how the first 5 games go next season and, assuming not a disaster get McKenna and his whole team on new 3-yr deal
-4

churchmans added 20:33 - Jun 13 D77 Calm down!!!
3

FromIpswichToPhoenix added 23:49 - Jun 13 D77, you're only giving him five bloody games? Mid table will be an accomplishment next season.
2

ArnieM added 06:31 - Jun 14 All this speculation re McKenna and Leicester, makes me think this can't be possible because these players are so tight knit with the manager shy on earth would they sign contract extensions if the manager is supposedly jumping ship. I just can't see it. Everyone at this club knows we are on to something good snd special happening here. Can't see any voluntarily walking away.

7

ArnieM added 07:11 - Jun 14 https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/next-leicester-manager-odds-ipswichs- This looks encouraging …,,
0

Help added 07:28 - Jun 14 Parker is going to Leicester
0

mathiemagic added 08:38 - Jun 14 I agree with @ArnieM - No way these new contracts would have been signed if they thought the manager was about to feck off.
0

TractorfactorSteve added 08:38 - Jun 14 How can he be going to Leicester when he's going to Celtic/Leeds/Tom Cobley Utd?
0

Bazza8564 added 08:38 - Jun 14 Great to see the contracts being renewed, and as far as KM is concerned, suggest his agent has been working very diligently to ensure the club give him the very best contract himself. Watch this space, suspect it will be soon. And Im led to believe he was actually approached and offered the job but declined. If you look at odds at 330 yesterday he was odds on, by 430 his name had been removed. Clever agent I say, now let's move on

0

Help added 08:55 - Jun 14 Mbappe signing to be announced on Friday
0

JewellintheTown added 09:07 - Jun 14 Responding to any speculative rumours will only encourage the lazy journo's to create more and more rumours. KM doesn't need the hassle or distraction. Leave it be.
0

IpswichT62OldBoy added 09:13 - Jun 14 Hirst please.
1

itsonlyme added 10:09 - Jun 14 According to one report today we have put in a 3.5m bid for Everton striker Ellis Simms. More lazy reporting?
0

oldelsworthyfan added 10:20 - Jun 14 Why in God's name would McKenna want to leave ITFC now and why would Ashton even let him go?
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls