Town keeper Arran Lee-Barrett has agreed a new 18-month deal with the club. The 25-year-old’s short-term contract with the Blues was due to end today.

Boss Roy Keane said: "I think Arran should be signing today and he deserves a new contract. He has done well for us but the hard work starts now. He knows he has got a battle on with Brian Murphy for the number one jersey and who knows if there will be another keeper coming in."

Lee-Barrett added: "There were one or two whispers from other clubs but staying at Ipswich was always the thing I wanted.

"I'm really enjoying my time here and the club have been great to me. They have shown a lot of faith in me, so it was an easy decision to make."

Last week, Keane said he had been delighted with the Lee-Barrett since he joined the club on a short-term deal after Shane Supple’s retirement in August: "Arran’s done very, very well for us, but you have to remember that we’ve done well for Arran. Four or five months ago he was in no man’s land.”

Lee-Barrett was in the same year in the Town academy as Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose but was released at 16 when he moved on to Norwich’s youth set-up, where he worked with Blues keeper-coach James Hollman.

After spells with Cardiff, Weymouth and Coventry, he established himself as first-choice at Hartlepool, before being released last summer.

The 6ft 2in tall glovesman has made eight starts and one sub appearance for Town.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

FarringdonBlue added 13:23 - Jan 21 Brilliant news!!! We are really trying to get the competition for places across the whole squad. I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!
0

legoman added 13:27 - Jan 21 Why do so many of you keep going on about new strikers. Weve got some of the best in this league. We dont need any more. It was not long ago that you wanted to sack and replace all our defenders but they came good. Lee barret has come Stead has come good and so will the rest of our strikers. We have a great squad that are improving under kean and his coaches rapidly.
0

candyshop added 13:27 - Jan 21 Grant Holt......nah, yes he does score for fun at the scum but he looks overweight and is really slow!.....town fans would soon get on his back trust me.
0

nthstd added 13:28 - Jan 21 HAppy with that he has resoundinglt earned that contract and the place in the team. As for a Striker........well what do I know
0

brockleyblueboy added 13:32 - Jan 21 Pauliejaz - why does it make you laugh? Don't you think Ipswich is a big enough club. I think flude could be onto something. At the end fo the day with the world cup just around the corner, now I know Pav isn't going to the world cup, but there will be players like dos santos, that their respectives countries are going and they will need to play games to secure a place in their squads. Whether its the premiership or the conference if a player is worth their salts then they want to play.

0

MaySixth added 13:38 - Jan 21 Considering we picked this lad up for nothing he has probably over-achieved everyone's expectations. Personally, after watching him at the Palace game, I am not convinced that he is a keeper that would win a team promotion. Kicking is erratic and I don't think he is particularly solid. Saying that, he would be a great No 2 and I hope he proves me wrong on the above. It will be interesting to see how good Murphy is after his injury - anyone know when Wrighty will be fit again?

0

Doctor_Albran added 13:40 - Jan 21 Read in the papers today that Everton are looking to shift James Vaughan? Possible option? Not proven by any means, but has scored goals. Might be worth a punt? Even on a loan deal.
0

Suffolk_n_Good added 13:46 - Jan 21 As others have said, this is great news, he well deserves a contract, good luck Arran for the rest of the season.
0

NW10_Tractor added 13:47 - Jan 21 You work hard, you get rewarded. Top quality stuff Arran... Need you on top form for saturday against So'ton!
0

Suffolk_n_Good added 13:48 - Jan 21 As others have said, this is great news, he well deserves a contract, good luck Arran for the rest of the season.
0

superblues9 added 13:50 - Jan 21 Lee lee lee barrett
0

Suffolk_n_Good added 13:50 - Jan 21 As others have said, this is great news, he well deserves a contract, good luck Arran for the rest of the season.
0

yarmoblue added 13:55 - Jan 21 well done aaran you deserve it .
0

kerryblue added 14:05 - Jan 21 Delighted to see Aaron getting a new contract ,he has been top class.As for morrisson dont bother,a moaner,a mouth and always whinging in the tabloids.
0

Surco72 added 14:12 - Jan 21 Dont feel we need another striker, but if we are looking what about Jason Roberts at Blackburn is he playing regularly ? Strong ,good goalscoring record especially in this league or Miller at Aberdeen contract up in summer
0

blueoveru added 14:18 - Jan 21 Just shows you how good players can be overlooked in football as ALB came in from nowhere as a third choice & has established himself as a damn good keeper,well done mate.
0

dirtydingusmagee added 16:15 - Jan 21 thats good news, he has done well for us,
0

8ashblue added 16:29 - Jan 21 he's certainly deserved his new contract and i just wonder what might have happened if he hadn't been around! He did have weaknesses but he seems to have improved as his kicking looks stronger, so who knows he may keep Murphy on the bench much longer. Roberts would be a great signing, either Holt or Lambert could be good enough or perhaps we should consider Healy now that he's resigned to look elsewhere.

0

brockleyblueboy added 16:34 - Jan 21 Who cares if morrison is mouthy and a bit of a pain. As long as he isn't mouthing off at us and can do a job, he would be a good signing. Take robbie savage for example, he is the typical player that you love to hate. Hate him when he plays against you but would love him to be on your team because he has got guts and a bit of fight
0

RevAdrian added 16:39 - Jan 21 Excellent news!
0

LeadbitterIsBeast added 17:20 - Jan 21 i actually think arran, is probably our best keep at the club ( yet to see murphy play) and his done very well, some of his saves are top class.. good luck arran!
0

Lightningboy added 17:31 - Jan 21 Hey,i've never been a fan of Clinton Morrison (mainly because he always scores against us) , but I suggested him cos I think he would do a great job at this level and i'm sure we could nab him for a nominal fee seeing as he's out of contract in a few months..only 30,at his peak and capable of netting 20 goals in this division,especially with all the chances we've been creating/missing so far this season. Seriously , he could be our missing link upfront alongside Stead/Pablo..maybe even worth suggesting a swap to coventry with Priskin?

0

Bergholtblue added 17:48 - Jan 21 He has come in, been given a chance and has seized it with both hands. Well done to the lad. A contract is just reward for his efforts so far. However, I can't see Keane being happy with him as the number one. The bit that nags at me is why was he released by Hartlepool last summer?
0

Markie31 added 18:09 - Jan 21 Great news, I wasnt sure about Arran to start with but hes really proved himself, Congrats are in order. Has for Morrison...good player, but he doesnt half moan when thinks aren't going his way, can turn from a playmaker, into the laziest player on the field in an instant. Is James Beattie setting the bar to high? dropped a division a couple of seasons ago...looks like his and Pulis aren't getting on......basically the one reason that Sheffield Utd got into the play-offs last season, not the same team without him........but yeah dream signing albeit rather ambitious.....GET ON THE PHONE KEANO!!!

0

brockleyblueboy added 18:16 - Jan 21 I was told that he was released from Hartlepool for having "relations" with one of the directors or some big wigs daughter!
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls