Town keeper Dean Gerken has signed a new contract extending his time at Portman Road to the summer of 2019.

In April, the Blues took up a one-year option on the 32-year-old’s previous deal following interest from Cardiff City during the January transfer window with manager Mick McCarthy revealing then that talks regarding a longer term deal were under way. The contract is understood to include an option for a further season.

Speaking back then McCarthy said the ex-Colchester United and Bristol City man had been unlucky not to play more than three cup games and two Championship matches during 2016/17, Bartosz Bialkowski, last season’s Player of the Year, having been first-choice throughout.

“He’s been very unfortunate,” the Town boss said. “If anything happened to Bart and he got in for five, six, seven games and he played like he has in the past, he’d end up being first choice because that’s always been the case.

“Not two games, you don’t step in for two games, do well [and claim the shirt] when somebody has been doing as well as Bart, but if he got in and had six, seven games and we had a few clean sheets and he played well.

“Bart knows the rules as well. He’s got to get back in, then Bart would have to back him up like he’s done it for Bart. He’s kept Bart on his toes because Gerks is terrific.

“It’s vital [to have a number two keeper doing that]. If the first-choice keeper keeps looking at the number two thinking ‘He’ll never get in in my place’ he’s not going to be very motivated, is he?

“If you’ve got competition for your place and there’s only one place you better make sure you do it right, and do it right every day.”

Gerken joined the Blues following a successful trial after his release by Bristol City in the summer of 2013 and has now made 92 appearances for Town.

Photos: TWTD/ITFC

12th_Man added 17:49 - Jun 28 How to ruin the positive mood after Huws signing. Please don't sell Bart
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boroughblue added 17:50 - Jun 28 Really hope this isn't because Barts on his way out… In any case though, well done Gerks. He's an ideal back up keeper for this level. Good work Town 👍
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Michael11 added 17:52 - Jun 28 Not fit to lace Bart's boots. I pray he'd be nothing more than back up whether Bart stays or goes.
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Green_Army added 17:55 - Jun 28 Bye Bart. :(
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not_a_witty_name added 17:56 - Jun 28 He played five times throughout the 2016/17 campaign, and will again challenge Bartosz Bialkowski to be Mick McCarthy's first-choice goalkeeper this coming season
3

not_a_witty_name added 17:57 - Jun 28 From the club website.
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JackSted added 18:02 - Jun 28 Hopefully somewhere in that contract it says 'second choice goalkeeper'
3

cat added 18:10 - Jun 28 12th Man - (lol) that's exactly what I thought!!!
1

bbg added 18:14 - Jun 28 More good news, no need to be spending money on new keepers when we have one keeper of premier standard and a very good championship keeper in Gerken. If he was a bad championship keeper we wouldn't have got to the play offs two years ago because he played most of the games that year.
14

Bluebell added 18:15 - Jun 28 Why should it mean Bart is going? He has said he wants to stay at Town as his wife and family are settled. It just means that we still have a good back up for injuries and suspensions.
15

howdonblue added 18:16 - Jun 28 Disagree Bbg He is cack
-4

Orraman added 18:17 - Jun 28 Wouldn't Dino just love to get him in as No 1. After recent excellent signings just have to keep hold of Bart or what would be the point of developing the squad, and I am sure that Garner and Huws were influenced by the long awaited team building which is now taking place and that must include keeping the best keeper in the Championship.
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bluejake78 added 18:42 - Jun 28 Class keeper.I always liked the guy.Quality.
2

tractorboybig added 18:55 - Jun 28 Good deal, keep bart ,crowe number 3 ..position covered
9

04willr added 18:56 - Jun 28 If nothing else, a cult hero for igniting the best chant I have ever heard (when he played for Bristol): "you're just the sh** in the burger"!
1

christiand added 18:57 - Jun 28 Can see where this is heading? The two keepers aren't even close in terms of their ability. The frustrations of last season just rush to the surface when I read this bs from MM!
2

jpring89 added 19:03 - Jun 28 Gerks has pulled off some worldy saves since hes been with us if only he could stop his cock ups he would be as good as Bart.
2

prebsa added 19:03 - Jun 28 Been doing very well with signings but hate it when mock compares him and says he is as good as Bart. It's just not true. Gerken is a league 1 goalkeeper and should never be our number 1!
1

bluejake78 added 19:10 - Jun 28 The TvvAT that did the neg for my post is a complete tool.IMO. f...eck off.
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Terry_Nutkins added 19:15 - Jun 28 There are some absolute muppets on here. None more than 12th man. Never has a name been less fitting. Negative moranjc comments constantly. Good news story made to look bad for own agenda. Excellent 2nd keeper behind bart signs up. Good news, end of! Has no impact on Bart. If we did get a big offer for Bart and he left, we would still sign another keeper and Gerkin would still be required. It goes without saying we all want Bart to stay but what has keeping another keeper got to do with it?! Bluejake, you are quite right!

4

Brownie added 20:20 - Jun 28 Bart is definitely the better keeper but Gerks is decent at this level. We need both of them & further additions elsewhere. Pleased with this news..,
8

Spanishblueblood added 20:32 - Jun 28 Bluejake 78, have a couple of down arrows from me, just for being a pathetic cry baby and worrying about who marks you up or down! Gerks is ok as back up but is nowhere near Bart!
6

BlueandTruesince82 added 21:06 - Jun 28 I haven't seen anyone linked with Bart and to be fair Evans has turned down big money in the past. Mings we sold for a huge profit and with Murphy we got £4 mil for a 34 yr old striker who really wanted the move but o the whole we try to hang on to the good players. It's the high turnover or average players that's been the problem.
3

jabberjackson added 21:09 - Jun 28 Why do people give a monkey's about who marks them up or down Quite pathetic really Get as life blueJake, and your language is pretty foul to boot
9

Miles added 11:07 - Jun 29 Good news. Solid keeper if not spectacular. Mick's comments are fair. He's not exactly going to turn around and say he's number 2 and will stay that way. Bart is immense but you do need a solid keeper as back up. Realistically Gerken is as good as you're going to get as a back up championship goalkeeper. Things are starting to take shape for the new season. 2/3 more quality signings and I think we're pretty much there.

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