Town striker Dean Bowditch has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until June 2008. The England U19 international's previous contract expired in the summer of 2006.

Chairman David Sheepshanks told the club site that he welcomed the 18-year-old committing himself to the Blues: "Like all Town fans I am delighted that Dean has pledged his future to Ipswich Town.

"It shows our determination and commitment to secure our best young talents for the long-term benefit of this football club.

"Like Ian Westlake [who signed a deal of similar length towards the end of last year], Dean has developed through our highly successful academy system and we can now look forward to him progressing as a footballer at Ipswich Town over the next three-and-a-half-years."

Manager Joe Royle was similarly chuffed: "It's great that one of the best young talents Ipswich Town has seen for many years has pledged his future to the club."

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