Town captain Carlos Edwards has spoken of his delight at securing his Portman Road future and admitted he would like nothing more than for team-mates Grant Leadbitter and Jason Scotland to do likewise.
Edwards, 33, may have taken a substantial pay cut to stay at Ipswich but he has also revealed that his new 12-month deal, which will kick in at the end of the season, is more lucrative than the one he rejected last year.
He said: "It is always nice to secure something before the end of the season. Some of the other lads now need to sort themselves out and I am sure things will soon be sorted out.
"I would hope that both Grant and Jason will follow in my footsteps but only time will tell. We have not been talking about it much but all I can say is that the guys seem eager to secure their careers here at Ipswich.
"It’s always tough to take a pay cut but at the same time you have to look at yourself and I’m not getting any younger. It’s not the end of the world and I will continue to do what I have always done and give 100 per cent.
"Who’s to know how many years I have left? My body will decide that. I will continue to play as long as I am fit and I have the desire, plus the 100 per cent commitment, to go forward.”
Edwards made it clear he always had a preference for staying put in Suffolk, adding: "I don’t think it was ever in doubt. I had a word with the manager and the chairman and we were just thrashing out a few things. "I could have put pen to paper last season but I told the manager I would prefer to wait and prove myself in the hope of gaining something a little more substantial. I’ve done that and we have both come out winners. "It is a better deal than what I was offered last year. There may have been one or two clubs sniffing around but my family is happy here. I have moved around quite a lot during my time in England so it is good to be settled somewhere I can call home.” Photos: Action ImagesWhat to read next:
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