Town Academy Player of the Year Kyle Hammond has agreed to sign his one-year professional deal with an option for a further season.

Manager Mick McCarthy revealed that the 18-year-old former Westbourne High School pupil had been offered a professional deal in March shortly after the right-back had ruptured an anterior cruciate knee ligament, an injury which will keep him out of action until the end of the year.

Earlier in 2013/14 the second-year scholar had suffered a similar although less serious injury to his other knee, having been with the first-team squad throughout pre-season and on the bench as the Blues lost 2-0 to Stevenage in the Capital One Cup in August.

Hammond told the club site that he is delighted to sign professional terms, which formally start from July 1st, with his hometown club: “Ipswich is my boyhood team and it really is a dream come true to sign a pro deal here.

“I’m very happy to sign and it’s come off the back of a difficult season, due to all my injuries.

“Although it’s been a frustrating season with my injury setbacks, it’s also been pleasing to be rewarded with the Academy Player of the Year award.

“I think since I started my scholarship I’ve progressed well and signing this deal is the highlight for me.”

Last week 18-year-old centre-half Omar Sowunmi agreed his first pro deal with the Blues, having completed his two-year scholarship, while ex-Norwich academy left-back Ben Wyatt, also 18, confirmed that he was joining Town on a one-year contract following a trial.

Midfielder Teddy Bishop, 17, and former Tottenham striker Darren McQueen, 19, who had spent much of the second half of the season on trial with the Blues, also recently agreed one-year professional deals, while midfielder Jack Willbye, 18, has been offered a third year on his academy scholarship.

We understand that striker George Clarke has been released along with midfielder Amir Berkane at the end of their scholarships, while Cory Galvin, 18, and Joe Robinson, 17, have been been offered the chance to stay at the club, either via an extension to their scholarship or pro terms.

Midfielder Byron Lawrence and keeper Michael Crowe have previously agreed professional deals.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

swarby_7 added 11:14 - May 21 Hope he makes a quick and successful recovery and good luck. One for the future hopefully, and "he's one of our own" too!
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TotalBlue added 11:20 - May 21 Its fantastic to see so many players making it through the Acadamy system. Especially with all the changes going on about home grown players. They all now need to knuckle down and work hard most of them will now go out on loan for a season and come back fit and sharp ready to be backup/bench players in the Premiership The future is definately looking bright Well done to Brian Klug and MM for pulling all this together the dark shadow is finally lifting!!!!! Who was that guy who started the rot Roy who?????

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MattinLondon added 12:04 - May 21 Does anyone know if the Man City (sorry forgotten his name) youngster who we offered a deal has been signed as well?
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swarby_7 added 12:08 - May 21 Henshall? Thats him wasn't it MattinLondon?
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carsey added 12:46 - May 21 I hope we see some of these kids actually given some playing time and the league sort out the reserve fixtures. If they don't get to play competitive football it is pointless signing them on. I know they are young but if you are good enough you are old enough and contrary to popular belief you can win things with kids - just ask Sir Alex Ferguson.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 13:09 - May 21 Carsey. I imagine some might see your post as negative but I am right with you on this. We need to bring through a couple of players of the calibre of hyam smith wickham Rhodes each year. I don't think it's a coincidence that this stream has dried up since competitive reserve football stopped. But I am hopeful that we are just beginning to reap the benefits of klugs return. It will also need mm to give them opportunities as we'll. I'd rather be mid table with some exciting youngsters than sniffing around the play offs with an experienced workmanlike team.

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MattinLondon added 13:13 - May 21 @swarby_7 Yeah, you're right. Its gone a bit quiet regarding him.
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swarby_7 added 13:21 - May 21 Very true MartininLondon. Wonder if he managed to impress much as he wasn't in too many matchday squads. Expected to see him, and more of Marriot, in the final game to be honest.
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Bluetone added 14:58 - May 21 I hope this fellow Kyle Hammond does better than another Westbourne lad we signed Kieron Dyer never did make it did he?
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