Blues vice-captain Cole Skuse has signed a new one-year deal with the option of a further season.

“We are delighted to have agreed a new contract with Cole,” general manager football operations Lee O’Neill told the club site.

“It includes an option for an additional year and while Cole’s focus will be on the football side it gives us time going forward to look at the other qualities he has that could be beneficial for him and the football club.”

The 34-year-old was among the players whose deals are up on June 30th but with Town having an option for a further campaign. As reported on Friday, the club was speaking to those players over the weekend.

Skuse revealed in January that he was in talks with owner Marcus Evans regarding new terms which would have an eye on his future after his playing days.

“When I talk about work off the field, whether it’s coaching or stuff in the community or on match days, it’s something we — that’s me, Marcus, Lee and the manager — have spoken about. I’m doing my badges and some work with Woodbridge Town at the minute,” he said.

“I’ve decided to do that away from this club because I wanted to get out of the Ipswich environment and do the work with a local club. I want to get the coaching badges ticked off. I can do it alongside playing but it’s not at the forefront of my mind right now.

“I do feel more than capable of continuing to play and I want to do that for as long as I can. But, yes, it could be done alongside playing, although my main focus is on being a footballer for the foreseeable future.”

Skuse joined the Blues on a free transfer from hometown club Bristol City in the summer of 2013 and has made 267 starts and seven sub appearances, scoring two goals.

Photo: TWTD

jalapenosteve added 10:18 - May 19 Great news. Very happy with this.
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pablovian added 14:49 - May 19 For a mid-to-lower League One team that is about to lose Flynn Downes, and cannot afford to replace him, this move makes sense. Skuse has a big heart, a high football IQ, and can help the team avoid a precipitous slide towards League Two.
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have_a_word_with_him added 23:36 - May 20 oh dear. We've spent much of the last year playing 3 centre backs with Skuse in front, and STILL conceded terrible goals. You've allocated 4 of your 10 outfield players to very very central defensive positions, and yet we are not top of the GA table. Not really quite right is it.
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