Blues striker Ben Folami has signed a three-year contract with Town, his first professional deal.

The 18-year-old has broken into the first team in the closing weeks of the season making one Championship start and three sub appearances, having made his senior debut at Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup in August.

“It’s great to get the contract sorted and I’m looking forward to hopefully an exciting three years at Ipswich,” the Australian, who joined the academy as a full-time scholar in the summer of 2016 having spent time at Playford Road in previous school holidays, told iFollow Ipswich.""

“To be involved over the last month with the first team has been brilliant. I have to be grateful first of all to Mick [McCarthy] and TC [Terry Connor] for giving me 45 minutes against Millwall.

“I never expected that and then I’m grateful obviously to Bryan [Klug] for allowing me to start my first ever game in the Championship [at Reading].""

“Things have moved on for me very quickly over the last month and now I have to build on that.

"I have had a taste of the first team now and my target for next season is to be involved at that level as regularly long as possible.”

Meanwhile, Wigan manager Paul Cook, among those linked with the Town vacancy, has signed a new four-year deal with the Latics.

🎥 | We caught up with Ben Folami earlier and he told us his target for next season after signing his first professional contract.

🗣️ | “I have had a taste of the first-team now and my target for next season is to be involved at that level as regularly as possible.” #itfc pic.twitter.com/QmzrXbNfvu

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) May 8, 2018

Photos: TWTD/ITFC

lightingblue added 17:47 - May 8 Fantastic news. All I shall say is keep your head down and work hard young man. Never stop asking questions and hopefully see you in the starting 11 in August. Best of luck.
13

boroughblue added 17:50 - May 8 Whisper it very, very quietly. But things and Town all seem to be very positive atm. Here's hoping for a exciting season next year...
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Mark added 17:54 - May 8 Well done to Folami. He has looked very promising and it'll be very interesting to see how he develops. As for the new manager, I thought the top League One bosses of Mowbray, Cook and Hurst were the most sensible choices given their success and knowledge of the English game. The first two now look unlikely to come here, so perhaps we should hope Shrewsbury stay down so we can get Hurst! If he ruled himself out I might start to worry with some of the names kicking about e.g. Sherwood.

13

cat added 17:59 - May 8 Nice positive news on a day of gloom! Think this lads got a big future.
8

RobTheMonk added 18:06 - May 8 I was really (pleasantly) suprised at his defensive workrate when he played the other week. Deceptively strong as well.
7

Karlosfandangal added 18:28 - May 8 Look like Mick was right about he had nothing to do with contacts.... As for a manager I would like Burley and Butcher
3

Europablue added 18:32 - May 8 I think we can safely say that Paul Hurst is either the top candidate or at least one of the top candidates. Anyone else could have been signed by now.
8

BlueArrow added 18:42 - May 8 Good on ya cobber Well deserved young man.
5

norfstanda added 18:57 - May 8 Great news.
5

DebsyAngel added 18:58 - May 8 This is fantastic news! Been very impressed with him when seen him play this season! Good luck Ben :)
5

norfstanda added 18:59 - May 8 NEW WIGAN DEAL FOR COOK Wigan manager Paul Cook has signed a new four-year deal after guiding the club back to the Championship in his first season. The 51-year-old former Chesterfield and Portsmouth boss took over the hotseat at the DW Stadium last summer and has enjoyed a stellar campaign, leading the Latics to the League One title and the FA Cup quarter-finals. Cook said: "I have loved every minute of my time here. It has been a huge team effort and I couldn't have achieved anything here without the support of our chairman David Sharpe, chief executive Jonathan Jackson, my coaching staff, all the staff across the club and the players. It was always going to be a big challenge to win promotion immediately but a lot of hard work and endeavour has gone in from so many people, who can all look back on the past year with great pride. Our supporters have been incredible, from the first day I arrived I couldn't have been more welcome and I look forward to seeing everyone back at the DW next season. I sit here very proud of the success we have enjoyed this season but in equal measure aware of the challenges we face moving forwards into the Championship - an exciting challenge." Just seen the above on skysports. Arse. Cook would have been decent for town.

4

horsehollerer added 18:59 - May 8 Love this. Well done Ben!
7

Bad_Boy_Mark added 19:45 - May 8 Great news and well deserved! Looks an excellent prospect and I'm looking forward to seeing him progress! Congratulations Ben!
6

TheTrueBlue1878 added 19:46 - May 8 Well done Ben, fully deserved, has shown sparks of what he is capable of in recent weeks. Need to add serious muscle over the summer to compete 46 games in the championship, that's just truthfully honest.
5

cornishblu added 19:56 - May 8 Sad to see Didz and Hyam go ...but this is great news...and perhaps an indicator that the “kids” will be trusted next year .....now just news in a manager .,,and our big pole in the goal ...get these two signed and then see how else we can build
7

hampstead_blue added 20:07 - May 8 At least he's not got one of those silly shaved, side parting haircuts.
3

busterjames1 added 21:00 - May 8 Fosters all round then !
4

cfmoses added 21:38 - May 8 Ben, so pleased for you. You are exactly what this club is about. Keep progressing and hopefully the new manager will be another Sir Bobby. Anyway mate you are in very good hands with Klug etc.
4

TractorBeezer added 22:53 - May 8 Well done Ben and well deserved! Looking forward to you earning your place and seeing you play more next season.
4

harlingblue added 02:51 - May 9 A very good footballer for his age, excellent positive news coming from the club. If we get the right manager there are some bright young players emerging.
3

brassy added 07:40 - May 9 good news well deserved nothing better than youth players making the grade.
2

bobble added 08:28 - May 9 if he does well he could appear in 3 world cups, possibly 4 for Australia..
3

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:04 - May 9 Good! Hope he will come on leaps and bounds. He's shown some good touches so far, but there's a long way to go yet.
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whosroundisitanyway added 16:01 - May 9 hampstead blue Not to worried about his hair, more interested in what he can do with his feet!
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DurhamTownFan added 16:41 - May 9 Bright start, but ultimately he will be judged on goals scored. If he can nick a couple in pre season (and if he is given a chance to do that) then he could have a good season. Under MM you'd expect him to be sent on loan to a part time outfit! Let's hope he gets a go
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