Midfielder Luke Hyam has signed his new one-year deal with the Blues, taking him up to the end of June 2013. The 20-year-old, a product of Town Academy, has recently broken back into the first team and along with Andy Drury is keeping senior players such as Jimmy Bullard and Grant Leadbitter out of the side.

Former Northgate High School pupil Hyam told the club site: "I'm delighted to have signed the new deal and now I'm looking to push on with Ipswich.

“It was disappointing to be out of the side earlier in the season, but I've worked hard and forced my way back into the team and I'd like to think I've been rewarded with this new contract.

"The manager has told me to carry on working hard and I'm looking to become a regular in the side now.

"I'm really enjoying my football at the minute and it's great to be playing regularly for Ipswich."

Town are still waiting on Josh Carson to sign his new two-year contract, which includes an option for a third season, while Ronan Murray and Jack Ainsley have recently put pen to paper on new deals.

Photo: Action Images

CornardBlue added 17:32 - Feb 1 Really impressed with Luke last night played Nolan and Noble out of game, must admit he has proved me wrong as there is more to his game than sitting in front of back 4, plus he is a local lad. If he carries on this progress to end of season the club should put another 2 years on his contract.
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clarkey85 added 17:39 - Feb 1 I like the idea of a short contract as other posters have said it keeps him keen to impress he is our future right now a very good player u got a ball winner and a passer in the middle good mix!stick with em!!!
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Mark added 17:39 - Feb 1 It's a real plus having Luke back in the side and playing well, in a badly needed role for this club which is as an energetic, defensive midfielder. If you'd have said a few weeks back at Drury and Hyam would be an effective central midfield not many would have believed you, but they are showing up their highly paid colleagues such as Bowyer, Bullard and Leadbitter. I hope Hyam continues to play well and is rewarded with an improved long term contract in the near future.

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dalinghooblue added 17:41 - Feb 1 Feel he is the future of ITFC. He has obviously buckled down and earned his extension. If he continues to progress, I am sure he will be rewarded with a further extension by the end of the year. Well Done, Luke
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BlueVelvet added 17:42 - Feb 1 On last nights performance we don't need Leadbitter, just need to keep the likes of Drury motivated to keep their place in the team - they really went for the Hammers and it paid off - keep going PJ. having said that, i still want to see Clegg sent packing
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stringy added 17:47 - Feb 1 would it have been that much of a risk to offer 2 or more?
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mostyn55 added 17:49 - Feb 1 The future, the type of player everyone was screaming out for us to buy. Show faith in youth Jewell, they are what makes Ipswich so special!
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norfsufblue added 17:54 - Feb 1 Maybe he is being astute by only agreeing to a one year deal on the advice of his agent....but better to get him tied into some sort of deal than none at all...but if he progresses we should regularily review and try to up his terms and reward him in line with peers at other clubs
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Ipswichbusiness added 17:59 - Feb 1 Well done to Luke! It's marvellous to see a local lad coming through. As with others, I am surprised that we couldn't have offered him a second year. Perhaps with Drury, Hyam and Stevenson we can now say goodbye to Leadbitter and Bowyer in the summer.
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felixblue added 18:04 - Feb 1 Great news it really is, at least he is sorted for the summer and if he finishes the season as strong as he is now there is nothing to stop us adding a few years ala Cresswell.
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Sorry added 18:08 - Feb 1 I think it should have been at least 2 really. If he finishes the season strongly, we'll be looking over our shoulder from August onwards.
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cunning_stunt added 18:14 - Feb 1 Can't help feeling that the short contract on offer to Hyam and the multitude of other contracts due to expire at the end of the season just show that Marcus Evans has got very cold feet over making any further commitment to the club. More pointers: Since Carson was allegedly offered a longer term he has been frozen out to the point that he is having serious doubts about signing. Scotland is obviously not starting games so as not to trigger an extension to his contract. Having agreed a fee with Falkirk for Murray Wallace, ITFC go back and try to renegotiate the deal effectively delivering the player to Huddersfield. Adequate personal terms were not offered to the Pompey pair that have no idea when they will next be in receipt of wages at their current club. Not sure quite what the future for this club is. I feel that Clegg is only carrying out his master's wishes and probably taking most of the flak for doing so.

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SHUblue added 18:16 - Feb 1 it seems pretty ridiculous to only offer him one year...i for one would have liked to have seen him offered a 2 or 3 year deal. Carson on the other hand is a worry. COMMENCE RANT Why oh why is he going to sign a new 2 year deal when Paul Jewell keeps leaving him out of the 16 man squad...must be doing wonders for his confidence. I seem to remember not too long ago (possibly last season), that martin and carson on the wings caused problems for most teams, and now carson is very rarely in the squad...put him in the midfield with hyam drury and martin...average age = 22.5 years...there's the youth factor we've all been waiting... END RANT

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bluelady added 18:20 - Feb 1 i assume if he continues as he is now close season he will be offered a better contract rather like Cresswell......... was sceptical after seeing him against Northampton, but along side Dury he looks very good indeed. As for Drury two sublime passes for two of our goals, what a revelation he has become!
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glm86 added 18:32 - Feb 1 Should have made it longer. The younger players are showing great fight and determination. We should looking at them as the players who will make the team what it used to be and push ipswich forward. They still have a long football career ahead of them so why not get them on 3-4 years deals and start building a squad which isn't been changed every season but thats partly down to having new managers as they want to build on squad. Of course we need to make additions if we ever want premier league but behind all the cracks we have got a good base to build on.

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Berts_chin added 18:36 - Feb 1 Agree with cunning. The scenario: When considering whether to buy ITFC, Evans is advised that £30m should guarantee promotion to the Prem. He pumps it into the club in buying the debt, hiring a big name manager and bankrolling big purchases on big contracts. Four years later the club are nearer to the third tier of English football than the top, Evans (not a football man) has lost his enthusiasm and is understandably reluctant to invest any more of his fortune into the project. Where does he go from here? He does exactly what he is doing - ticks along with a short term vision until, perhaps, he can afford to pump a bit more in. Let's hope he makes a mint out of the Olympics with his ticket sales and hospitality packages.

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TractorBeezer added 18:43 - Feb 1 I am proud to see that Luke is a product of Northgate School which I also attended about 50 years ago. In those days the predominant winter sport was rugby. Although I was in the rugby school teams I much preferred football and presented a petition to the head master that they should add football as an option. The request was treated with complete disdain and I was quickly dismissed from his office. Thank goodness things have changed and that the end result is Luke Hyam. Lets hope for more like Luke where he came from!

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WarkyWonderLand added 18:54 - Feb 1 Hyam and drury give us a better balance in the middle of the pitch. Put drury together with jet and Murphy and we have a physical presence. Neither luke or drury were overawed by Nolan and co. Look to cresswell, hyam, drury, jet, martin, Chopra to build team around. Coyb onwards and upwards.
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Bergholtblue added 18:56 - Feb 1 Just because he has been given a years contract now, it doesn't mean that it can't be increased in a few months if he progresses well. Exactly what happened to Cresswell. Put the hard yards in and you can reap the rewards.
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Bleedingblue added 19:00 - Feb 1 @ Ivorfeeling, agree with your comments on contracts running out and transfer values etc. However, we offered both Edwards and Leadbitter extensions and they didn't/haven't signed. What more can we do? Don't agree with us being held to ransom by players who don't/aren't performing however much we paid for them. Also, Cresswell has been offered and signed an improved contract which is more encouraging imo than Leadbitter signing a new one! We have the likes of Drury, Hyam and Jet and with championship football next season we can build again without the Priskins and Ingis of this world. We must remain positive! Finally, if Hyam plays well and stays in the side I'm sure we'll extend the deal ala Cresswell. And, dare i say it, he seems committed to our club! See what happens with Jet and Drury in the summer to see if the club have learnt. COYB

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Tractor_Boy19 added 19:08 - Feb 1 If he keeps playing as well as he is and is in the team for the rest of the season, hopefully jewell and clegg will see sense and give Luke another year or two on the contract he has just signed. On recent performances he definitely deserves a two year contract. Well done Luke!
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StochesStotasBlewe added 19:11 - Feb 1 Very good news, this young man can have a big future at our club as last nights excellent performance shows. Keep it up & more rewards will follow.
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gypo added 19:19 - Feb 1 Cressy was given short contract he proved he's worth more and they gave him more so wouldn't be surprised if that happens to hyam so keep it up Luke .
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itfchorry added 19:31 - Feb 1 Great news - Put back in to the team by supporter pressure Not Jewell One year is a joke - Clegg Out What have you to say pauljewwllis god
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tractorboy1961 added 19:32 - Feb 1 Great news...just wish it was a longer deal though. Thought he handled Nolan really well last night. Now let's hope Carson signs but I'm not so sure he will as Jewellmdoesnt seem to rate him
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