Midfielder Andre Dozzell has signed a new contract with the Blues which will keep him at Portman Road until the summer of 2020.
Dozzell turns 18 today which allows him to put pen to paper on a contract longer than the two-year deal he signed on his 17th birthday.
"I’ve been in and around the first-team this season and that’s my goal, to play regularly for the team,” Dozzell told the club site.
"That is the only thing that will keep me improving and that is what I’m focused on.
"It was hard when I wasn’t involved over the first half of the season but I can see why I wasn’t.
happy to sign a new contract on my birthday, thanks for the love & messages .. https://t.co/0TB8rnKLC4– AD23 (@andredozzell) May 2, 2017
"The Championship is a tough league and it’s difficult to throw someone of my age into those types of games but I’ve been working hard in the gym to become bigger and stronger.”
The former Copleston High School pupil came through the academy and has now made eight senior starts and three sub appearances.
The England U18 international's only first-team goal so far was his header scored after coming on as a sub at Sheffield Wednesday this time last season, emulating his father Jason's feat of scoring a debut goal aged only 16.