Ipswich-born midfielder Luke Hyam says he wants to stay with his hometown club for as long as possible, hopefully helping them into the Premier League along the way, having signed a new Town contract taking him up to the summer of 2018 with an option for a further season earlier today.
The 24-year-old’s previous deal was due to end this summer, although the Blues had indicated that they would be taking up an option of a further year prior to the agreement of the new terms.
"This is where I’ve always wanted to be since I was at a young age,” the former Northgate High School pupil told Ipswich Player HD.
"I support the club and I want to stay here as long as I possibly can and obviously it would be nice to help Ipswich get promoted into the Premier League.
"When your contract is up at the end of the season it’s always a worrying time because you never know what will happen and you don’t want to be looking for another club on a free, but it’s nice to get it done and dusted so I can focus on my football.
"I’m delighted to stay and with another two years under my belt it’s nice to have a bit of security.”
Hyam, who made his debut in the 3-1 win at Middlesbrough on the opening day of the 2010/11 season and established himself as a first-teamer under Roy Keane’s management before drifting out of the picture during Paul Jewell’s time as boss, says he’s been happy since Mick McCarthy took charge in November 2012.
"With the manager and the players that are here, it’s really enjoyable and I think the club has been on the up since the manager came in,” he added.
"When he came in he said he would get rid of the deadwood and he brings in players with the right personality that will fit in with the team spirit.
"The close-knit group of lads we have here is really good and it shows on the pitch. Obviously we haven’t performed as well as we would have liked recently, but hopefully we can push on next season and get to the play-offs or even get automatic promotion.”