Town Academy Player of the Year Kyle Hammond has agreed to sign his one-year professional deal with an option for a further season.
Manager Mick McCarthy revealed that the 18-year-old former Westbourne High School pupil had been offered a professional deal in March shortly after the right-back had ruptured an anterior cruciate knee ligament, an injury which will keep him out of action until the end of the year.
Earlier in 2013/14 the second-year scholar had suffered a similar although less serious injury to his other knee, having been with the first-team squad throughout pre-season and on the bench as the Blues lost 2-0 to Stevenage in the Capital One Cup in August.
Hammond told the club site that he is delighted to sign professional terms, which formally start from July 1st, with his hometown club: "Ipswich is my boyhood team and it really is a dream come true to sign a pro deal here.
"I’m very happy to sign and it’s come off the back of a difficult season, due to all my injuries.
"Although it’s been a frustrating season with my injury setbacks, it’s also been pleasing to be rewarded with the Academy Player of the Year award.
"I think since I started my scholarship I’ve progressed well and signing this deal is the highlight for me.”
Last week 18-year-old centre-half Omar Sowunmi agreed his first pro deal with the Blues, having completed his two-year scholarship, while ex-Norwich academy left-back Ben Wyatt, also 18, confirmed that he was joining Town on a one-year contract following a trial.
Midfielder Teddy Bishop, 17, and former Tottenham striker Darren McQueen, 19, who had spent much of the second half of the season on trial with the Blues, also recently agreed one-year professional deals, while midfielder Jack Willbye, 18, has been offered a third year on his academy scholarship.
We understand that striker George Clarke has been released along with midfielder Amir Berkane at the end of their scholarships, while Cory Galvin, 18, and Joe Robinson, 17, have been been offered the chance to stay at the club, either via an extension to their scholarship or pro terms.
Midfielder Byron Lawrence and keeper Michael Crowe have previously agreed professional deals.
Photo: ITFC