Boss Mick McCarthy says he’s delighted that Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski has agreed to sign a new contract until the summer of 2020 with Town with the club having the usual option for a further year. The Pole's new terms almost certainly end speculation that he could move in during January with Crystal Palace having shown interest earlier in the window.

“A bit of good news is that Bart has agreed a new three-year contract,” McCarthy said at his lunchtime press conference.

“It’s been ongoing, some people read papers and say, ‘Some people suggest Bart might not have been injured [for the Leeds game] but might be going to Crystal Palace’.

“But I said all along that wasn’t the case. We’d been talking to him about a new contract. He’s under contract anyway. Whatever happens he was under contract for the rest of this season and another year.

“But I guess when that interest came all of us would have been interested in joining a Premier League club, I never knock players for that.

“But the window’s still open, he’s come and he says he wants to sign, he’s happy here and I’m delighted, and I would imagine all the fans are.”

Did the 30-year-old glovesman ask about McCarthy’s future when discussion the deal with the Blues’ manager’s contract up at the end of the season.

“I couldn’t sign him on a three-month contract anyway!” McCarthy laughed. “I just said to him, and it’s not about me it’s about him, I said to him, as a father figure, and I’m well old enough to be his father, I’d be saying to him, ‘Sign the contract, get it done’.

“You can move out of contract but if a Premier League club comes in and they really want you, they come and make a play for you, they take you anyway. They give enough money to take them out.

“Get your contract signed, be happy because he loves it here and he loves where he lives. He might as well be playing and be happy and if it changes in 12 months’ time, so be it.

“But if not, in the meantime, he’s still the best keeper in this league, for my money.”

Are there plans to discuss new terms with the other players whose terms are up at the end of the season, among them Cole Skuse?

“Yes, I guess so,” he added. “That’s kind of ongoing. There’s a date in their contracts by when we’d have to notify them of their options.”

Photo: TWTD

BotesdaleBlue added 15:08 - Jan 26 This is fantastic news and is all the better for being unexpected. With Bart stating publically some time ago he wanted to stay at the club, I'm elated that the Club has finally agreed a long term deal with the player. This will be such a boost for supporters who desperately needed some positive news and it doesn't get much more positive than this. Well done all round and credit to the Mr Evans for sorting this deal and of course to Bart, who has most certainly earned it with his performances over the past few years.

41

jpring89 added 15:10 - Jan 26 Best news for a long time. Thanks Bart
27

Swn98 added 15:13 - Jan 26 sounds like Mickma is staying then!
2

martin587 added 15:15 - Jan 26 Absolutely fantastic news.Will hopefully give the whole team confidence.Best keeper outside the premier league without a doubt.!
21

muccletonjoe added 15:15 - Jan 26 Great news
19

Kesgraveblue57 added 15:17 - Jan 26 Good news for Ipswich Town but don't get carried away that he is the best goalkeeper in the division for he is a long way off that, but with a new manager and a new defence he will become far better
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Jimmy86 added 15:18 - Jan 26 Best news of the window so far and I'm so glad he's signed a new deal. Has to be 1 of the best keepers in the championship. Well done ITFC and thanks Bart. 🎵 big Pole in the goal 🎵 ⚽
20

sussexblue added 15:20 - Jan 26 That's good news as long as it hasn't just jacked up the transfer fee.
2

Karlosfandangal added 15:20 - Jan 26 Get MM out he is ruining our club before he leaves..... where are the MM and ME haters now
0

Slambo added 15:23 - Jan 26 Kesgraveblue57 - no he isn't.
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runaround added 15:25 - Jan 26 Excellent news
13

masetheace added 15:31 - Jan 26 Just waiting for the conspiracy whingers to start -
1

NimrodITFC added 15:46 - Jan 26 Fantastic news!
10

Taricco_Fan added 15:49 - Jan 26 Brilliant news. A much-needed statement of intent from the club and I would hope he is our highest-paid player as he certainly deserves to be.
13

tractorboybig added 15:50 - Jan 26 Just means they can get more money for him
-2

therein61 added 15:50 - Jan 26 What a relief now get the problems in front of him sorted!!
10

yungblue added 15:56 - Jan 26 Fantastic bit of news. Been a great servant to ITFC, certainly the best goalkeeper I've ever seen pull on an ITFC shirt. Sensible bit of business from ME aswell, keeps all parties happy, shouldn't have thought it will change speculation about moves in the summer. And certainly would give Bart the chance he deserves to play in the premier league. But also increases his marke value again with a longer contract, allowing ITFC to hold all the negotiation power. Well done ITFC, and well done ME (deserves credit when due)

12

Bert added 15:58 - Jan 26 Well done to Bart and his family for staying, to MM for giving balanced advice to his keeper and to Evans for presumably stumping up the cash for a much better contract deal. Some may not like MM's comments and I do, on balance, feel a change of Manager and style is needed but I admire the man for being frank and honest even if it upsets a few thin skinned people. More noise again tomorrow please in what will be a tough match to watch for the loyal but realistic supporters.

13

roytheboy added 16:01 - Jan 26 My family and myself are thrilled by this excellent news, I always feel secure when Bart is in goal, well done Mick for encouraging him to stay, for that I think I owe you an apology.
6

jas0999 added 16:06 - Jan 26 Best news of the transfer window. Very pleased with this.
10

heathen66 added 16:24 - Jan 26 Whether you are a Mick in or a Mick out fan this is good news and I cannot believe the Mick In fans seem to want to have a go at the Mick out fans No conspiracy,just good business. and seems to be instigated by Bart himself, who has said all along he is happy here. What it does mean,is that if a Premiership team does come in for him, we are hopefully in a stronger position to either keep him or negotiate a better deal for the club. The only negative thing (and appolgies for doing so) is that obviously this deal means an increase in his wages (and rightly so), which the net result means there is less money available for others (new and old)

7

pragmatic added 16:31 - Jan 26 Bert totally agree on all your points,
0

cat added 16:53 - Jan 26 Brilliant news, nice bit of positivity for a change, however, I agree with Kesgraveblue57 on his post, cause Bart ain't the best in our league, probably not even top 3, but he'll defo do the buis for us. Anyone who disagrees with this then go ahead and show me a stat to back it up, cause I'm not being negative here, just honest & realistic, bit like Kes! Watching the McCarthy interviews you can't help but like the guy, honest, forthright and humorous, shame it goes tits up on ‘most' occasions when you have to endure his dire tactics. Love Mick the proper bloke, loath Mick the manager. Personally think he will go, we live in hope.

3

liam88 added 17:06 - Jan 26 Get in
5

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:14 - Jan 26 Lets see some credit for the club for this shall we?
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