x

Keeper Coleman Signs New Deal - Ipswich Town News

Keeper Joel Coleman has signed a new six-month deal with the Blues.

Coleman, 27, joined Town in November on a deal until January, coming in as back-up after third-choice Nick Hayes suffered an injury which required surgery and will keep him out of action for much of the rest of the season.

"I’m buzzing to get it done,” Coleman told the club site. "All of the players, coaching staff and everyone around the training ground have made me feel very welcome. It was a long way to move from Manchester but they’ve made me feel like part of a family.

"I’ve loved the training, I’ve loved the philosophy, I’ve loved the manager and the coaching staff and I know I’m going to improve by staying here longer.

"Hopefully I can keep pushing Vas [Vaclav Hladky] and Walts [Christian Walton] every day in training to get the best out of each other.

"If I keep working hard then along the line I may get an opportunity. Helping towards a promotion is the biggest aim and it’d be a massive achievement for everyone involved.”

Head of goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin added: "It’s a no-brainer to extend his contract and he’s a big part of it just like everyone else who is pushing toward the end of the season.

"He’s been really good. You could get a sense straight away that he’s been at a really high level, being involved in teams in the Premier League and in big games.

"Nick Hayes is doing really well with his rehab but it’ll be a few months before he’s back in and Antoni Bort is just coming back from his long rehab due to a knee injury. It’s important that we have good quality goalkeepers to challenge each other and push each other on.

"The environment is huge for the management, the staff and the Club. Having the likes of Joel is important to that and that’s why we want to keep those kind of people. His maturity in the group is welcome and important, and he’s really added to the goalkeeping department."

Coleman, who is yet to make his Blues debut, was released by Rochdale at the end of last season having 21 starts for the Lancastrians during 2021/22, his only campaign at Spotland.

The Bolton-born keeper started his career with Oldham and having made his debut in March 2015 made 44 senior starts and one sub appearance before moving on to Huddersfield Town in 2016.

While with the Terriers, the 6ft 6in tall glovesman made 17 starts and three sub appearances and was on the bench for the 2016/17 Championship play-off final victory over Reading.

Coleman spent the first half of 2018/19 on loan at Shrewsbury, where he made 20 starts.

He joined Fleetwood on a two-year deal in the summer of 2020 but made only two appearances, both in cups, and moved on to Rochdale the following close season.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Four in Championship Team of the Week
Four Town players have been named in the Championship Team of the Week following the 5-0 thumping of Sheffield United on Friday.
Ipswich Town Women 0-1 Nottingham Forest Women - Match Report
Ipswich Town Women remain without a win so far this season after losing 1-0 to fellow newly promoted side Nottingham Forest in their first outing at their new home, Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Blades Sack Selles Following Town Thrashing
Sheffield United have sacked manager Ruben Selles following Friday’s 5-0 thrashing by the Blues at Portman Road.
On-Loan Slicker Saves Two Penalties
Town keeper Cieran Slicker saved two penalties to help his loan side Barnet to a 2-1 victory away against Crewe Alexandra in League Two this afternoon.
U18s Hammered at Palace
Town’s U18s fell to an 8-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ Copers Cope training ground this morning.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Gallery
Photos from last night's win against Sheffield United at Portman Road.
Sheehan: An Exciting Occasion
Ipswich Town Women play their first game at their new home, Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium, on Sunday afternoon when Nottingham Forest visit in WSL2 (KO 2pm, live on YouTube).
Peake: We'll Learn Quickly
When Ipswich Town Women make their eagerly anticipated first WSL2 appearance at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester on Sunday, defender Paige Peake will be making her second home debut for the club having rejoined after three years away playing for Southampton.