Town have confirmed the signing of former Colchester United and Bristol City goalkeeper Dean Gerken on a two-year deal. A fortnight ago, TWTD was first to reveal that the 28-year-old would join the Blues for their training camp in Ireland and last week reported that Gerken was close to joining Mick McCarthy's squad.

Gerken, from Rochford in Essex, began his career as a youth player with Southend before moving on to the U’s in 2002.

After seven years with Colchester — during which time he spent a short spell on loan with Darlington — the 6ft 4in tall keeper moved on to Bristol City for an undisclosed fee in June 2009.

While at Ashton Gate he made 60 appearances, having been former England keeper David James’s deputy for much of the time.

Blues fans will recall his outstanding performance to earn his side a 0-0 draw at Portman Road in February 2010.

Gerken, who played alongside Anthony Wordsworth at Colchester and Cole Skuse and Paul Anderson at Bristol City, was in goal for 45 minutes of Town's pre-season game at Shelbourne and then the full 90 minutes at Crawley on Wednesday.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

TennesseeBlue added 18:33 - Jul 12 Welcome to Portman Road Mr Gerken!
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Jimmys_Law added 18:39 - Jul 12 Well I'm glad he looks so happy to be here...
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trumanswampy added 18:40 - Jul 12 Why all this back up talk?? Surely a manager is not going to buy a goal keeper just to be a number two to a keeper he didn't play all the time last year. It's all about form, competition in all positions, Loach and Gerken will have to work their arses off to be No.1 that's what we all should want. Pretty sure Mick will!
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Len_Brennan added 18:41 - Jul 12 Pleased with this, looks a decent keeper. Of the trialists he certainly looked a better potential signing than Seaborne, so I'm happy that this one has gone through. Can't see another keeper coming in ahead of him or Loach, as they are both reasonably decent for Championship level. Should MM sign another, it will no doubt be a 3rd choice. I like a commanding keeper who can organise his defence, but I am hoping Dean will tone down the amount of shouting he does in a game. He's like a drill sergeant at times.

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Lombokblue added 18:44 - Jul 12 He was decent at Colchester, only 28 , 6 ft 4", experienced and not a loanee All good
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WickedBlue added 18:46 - Jul 12 @jas0999 more likely he played the whole game as MM was getting a good look at him before offering a contract. You have a habit of reading way to much into things.
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PimsNumber1 added 18:51 - Jul 12 a BIT WORRIED THAT HE COULDNT DISLODGE JAMES , who was diabolical at bristol. Remember Calamity having an absolute nightmare against us at PR a season or so back
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TheWizardDeVos added 19:02 - Jul 12 It might not be to everyone's taste but Big Mc's made up with Gerken
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sergeisays added 19:06 - Jul 12 What I like about micks signings so far is the One common denominator each and everyone Of them has played with squad members here already Which suggests no real long settling in or time to gel Which can only be a good thing. I think this is very shrewd Work by mick!
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Michael11 added 19:15 - Jul 12 I can still see us signing Henderson on a season long loan. Loach and Gerken are two good goalkeepers though.
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runningout added 19:17 - Jul 12 would have Gerken ahead of Loach..
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Seasider added 19:28 - Jul 12 Must agree with H32.It is a long time since we had to rely solely on free transfers,probably not since Big Joes time when the club was in administration. If MM can get us promotion with just unattached players,free transfers and the odd Bosman,not forgetting one player exchange,then Mr Evans is indeed a lucky man. I am however still hopeful that he will be allowed to spend some money if required;either in this,or the January window to ensure ITFC reach the promised land when ME can get his money back,and we can once more compete with Norwich City in financial terms as this is the first time in 50 years I can recall the Premiership Canaries being financially superior to us. How humiliating it is too!

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TimmyH added 19:45 - Jul 12 Welcome aboard Dean, as other posters have mentioned whilst at Col U he did well whether he can for us is to be seen. Realistic post on other side by H32 (and by pip50 yesterday) the gulf is for ever increasing now between the Premiership and this league.
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TimmyH added 19:46 - Jul 12 * Spot on Seasider
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BiggestMick added 20:02 - Jul 12 Seen him a lot of times as colchester is my home club , I wouldnt be surprised to see him challenging Loach for the number 1. He's really good at commanding his area and has great awareness ! Good luck Dean and welcome to Ipswich ! COYB
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sergeisays added 20:04 - Jul 12 Off topic and don't quote me but....just heard strong Rumour that chops is off to Sheffield wed for £300000 Hope it's right!
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wayway added 21:48 - Jul 12 Shows just where the club is at present, as I have said before players of this standard will not get us anywhere near the playoffs
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warktheline added 22:47 - Jul 12 wayway,you will be proved wrong come May.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 23:09 - Jul 12 Yes, those of you that say we are now poor cousins to our neighbours up the A140 are right, but that is football. We are not what we were. Bad decisions were made: Roy Keane for example. . . bur Norwich did the same. Bryan Gunn was pure cr@p & they dropped down to division 1. They got Paul Lambert in and the next thing you know . . . championship . . . Premiership. We did a Bryan Gunn twice; Keane & then Jewell. Now, MM + TC are our Paul Lambert. We will rise above the scum again, but be patient. Unfortunately, they have now got Hughton, who I actually wanted as the next ITFC manager. Be patient: it won't be long before the scum pick up another cr@p manager. Personally, I am hoping that Roy Keane gets offered the job!! The most important resource is time. Give MM & TC that at least.

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Lightningboy added 23:47 - Jul 12 Probably on a par with Loach..both should be good enough over the next few seasons..hopefully no more keeper's with a 24 hour recall!
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Lightningboy added 23:47 - Jul 12 Probably on a par with Loach..both should be good enough over the next few seasons..hopefully no more keeper's with a 24 hour recall!
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Hegansheroes added 07:05 - Jul 13 Hope he turns out to be a good signing but would we be in this situation, desperately trying to find a keeper if Jewell hadn't released Cody Cropper who is now with Premiership Southampton along with Kelvin Davis who at 36 isn't going to be around for ever. Cropper is very highly rated down there and is the USA's 1st. choice under 20 keeper. So another cxck up by PJ, Cropper must love him to bits.

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colonel added 09:28 - Jul 13 Seen him many times at Col U & did a really good job for them. Consistently impressive. T'was very confident & sure of himself then. Confidence would have been knocked since but he is extremely capable. In Loachy & him we have 2 decent keepers at this level who will be challenging for the no.1 spot (& who are both ours!). Who ever is in goal, we fans have a big part to play in fully getting behind our keepers & giving them our unequivocal support. Keepers thrive on self-confidence & we can either help make or break a player here. COYB

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h32 added 17:55 - Jul 13 Hegansheroes - .... just about everyone (other than PJ, and other clueless people) could see the potential that Cropper had whilst here - as you say another PJ / Club cxck up to add to the many.
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theobald1985 added 17:22 - Jul 14 Good cover but loach is number one I saw him a lot in colchester and he was not impressive in thierry second season in the championship A davidson had tocome back in as he seemingly lost the.ability too take a cross and looked short of confidence and went quiet. He is fine as number.2 but loach is a better keeper and idea be amazed if loach does not start as number one

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