Town have confirmed the signing of Notts County keeper Bartosz Bialkowski on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee with an option for a further year.

The move appeared to be on the verge of going through more than a week ago but stalled towards the middle of last week with talks between the clubs having continued.

County had initially been willing to allow the 27-year-old former Poland U20 international, who had a year left on his contract, to move on a free transfer to release some cash for further additions, but were subsequently understood to be after a small fee.

In early June, TWTD reported that Bialkowski would be on Mick McCarthy and keeper-coach Malcolm Webster’s list of potential targets, having been interesting the Blues last summer.

Bialkowski previously spent a short spell on loan with Town in 2009 from Southampton without making a first-team appearance. He was red-carded during his reserves debut in a game at Luton when he handled the ball outside the area with the Hatters bearing down on goal.

The 6ft 4in tall Braniewo-born keeper started his career in his home country with Olimpia ElblÄ…g and Górnik Zabrze before moving to Southampton, where he worked with Webster and ex-Blues boss George Burley, in January 2006.

Another loan spell at Barnsley followed the next season and with his opportunities during his six years at St Mary’s having been limited to just 41 starts and one sub appearance — former Town man Kelvin Davis having been the Saints’ number one for the most part — he joined Notts County on a three-year deal in the summer of 2012. He has gone on to make 92 appearances for the Magpies.

Photo: ITFC

Apologies for the earlier confusion.

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 17:00 - Jul 15 People are always quick to show the players highlights on video once a signing is made but good to keep a balanced view and see the 'other' side...now it's down to him to show us what he's made of, wish him all the best while he's here. Hopefully his communication with the back four will be not a problem as we know this is all important! Good luck Bart.
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therein61 added 17:16 - Jul 15 For whatever reason gerks didn't appear to be under pressure from loachy ,but I reckon this guy will more than keep him on his toes and as MM seems to have been after him for a while I cannot see him dropped after a good performance as loachy was which for me was bad management, anyway another good addition so onwards & upwards you blues!!
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blueboy1981 added 17:46 - Jul 15 Good to have another keeper on board - only time will tell if he is an improvement on Gerken. From reports it seems he is an excellent shot stopper, but many keepers have that ability in fairness - commanding his area, organising the back four in front of him, and being able to take crosses with confidence, are equally, and all, important. I wish him well, and reserve judgement - time will be the telling point. Welcome to Portman Road Bart'.

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blueboy1981 added 17:50 - Jul 15 ....... maybe strengthening up in the Goalkeeper Coaching area wouldn't go amiss either ! - although Webster has his merits.
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blueboy1981 added 17:52 - Jul 15 ........... reason being - we've had a few Keepers with faults that seem to 'stick' and never get ironed out. That's what Coaches are for - essentially.
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jas0999 added 18:11 - Jul 15 Excellent signing. Hoping he will be number one. And a small fee as well!
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blueboy1981 added 18:39 - Jul 15 Hope you're right jas0999 . JWM - you really have it in for this Guy - and who are we to say you're wrong. Proof of the Pudding is always in the eating, and time will indeed tell. Told you you're becoming progressively cynical (lol) - not so sure about your allegiance to MM being true in this respect either !! Here's to enjoying a good season anyway - and all our banter that goes with it.

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supasmiler71 added 19:32 - Jul 15 A little ridiculous posting a video clip of ONE mistake he has made. Here's a link to a clip of Germany's Neuer, currently regarded as the best keeper on the planet, making several mistakes. Equally pointless, but makes the point. ps...great signing I think btw.
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LWNR2013 added 19:52 - Jul 15 Great news. We now have two decent GKs - MMs 22 man squad is nearly there.
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Raving_Engineer added 19:57 - Jul 15 I am a bit concerned on what this fee is. I would have hoped we had the backbone to say, £0 take it or leave it.
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unknown100 added 01:07 - Jul 16 You could show a hauler from every goal keeper in the world, I could put a video up of him making an amazing save and say he is the next peter schemichael? (who is the goalkeeper to end that sentence? Buffon? Casillas? Interesting....)
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Slambo added 07:58 - Jul 16 I don't completely object to this signing, but I have to say i'm stunned at the level of negativity directed at Dean Gerken! He's a perfectly good 'keeper! I can't think of a single time last season when he made some calamitous error! I don't think this signing demonstrates particularly good man-management - McCarthy does have a bit or previous in this area. Would have been much better to start breaking in a young understudy behind Gerken... Now, i'm willing to forget the howlers Bialkowski made in the clips above (remember watching that game and thinking, 'this bloke looks really nervous'), but I would urge everyone to not rate a goalkeeper on his shot stopping ability. Professional goalies are athletes - they can all make good reaction saves. The truly GREAT 'keepers, however, are the ones who get off their line at the right time, manage their box well and have good hands. A cat like reflex save looks good in the sports pages, but it aint what wins you titles...

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