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Clarke Signs New Deal - Ipswich Town News

Central defender Matt Clarke has put pen to paper on a contract until June 2017 with an option for a further season.

The 18-year-old, whose previous deal ran to the summer of 2016 with an option for another season, is on a youth loan with Portsmouth until January 3rd, although the Blues are entitled to recall him at 24 hours’ notice now that he has been with Pompey for more than 28 days.

"I’m obviously delighted and I guess it’s reward for the progress I have made this season,” Clarke told the club site.

"The manager wanted me to go out and play games and that is what I have done at Portsmouth and I’m really enjoying it.

"I’m looking to improve as a player and playing games week in, week out is going to help me do that.

"Playing for Portsmouth has been great for me but I see my future at Ipswich. My goal is to get to a standard where the gaffer feels he can put me in his team here.”

Barham-born Clarke has made seven starts for Portsmouth so far and has helped them to an unbeaten League Two start and up to fourth in the table.

Having come through the Academy, the former Claydon High School pupil made his senior debut for Town in last season’s Capital One Cup first round tie at Crawley - at left-back rather than in his usual central defensive role - and went on to make a further four sub appearances during the Blues' Championship campaign.

Photos: TWTD/ITFC

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