Young central defender Elkan Baggott says he’s delighted to have signed his first professional contract with the Blues and is now aiming to build on it and make his league debut before the end of the season.

The 18-year-old penned a deal which runs to the summer of 2023 earlier today, with the club having an option for a further season.

Premier League West Ham and Leeds had been linked after erroneous reports Baggott had turned down his Town deal, while we understand Everton were keen on the Indonesia U19 international.

“I'm delighted and I want to thank the coaches, my family, my friends and my parents for helping me get this far," Baggott told iFollow Ipswich.

“My parents have supported me through everything and I want to thank the coaches at the club for everything they have done.

“They've dedicated so much time to helping me develop, and I'm very grateful for that.

“I'm looking forward to building on this. I have some goals and targets in mind for the remainder of the season.

“I was delighted to make my debut for the club back in October [against Gillingham in the Papa John's Trophy] and I have to appreciate how far I've come, but I also want to keep my head down and keep working hard.

“In terms of the first team, I'd like to make my league debut. I'd like that to be by the end of the season and I hope I can continue to be in and around the senior squad.”

Thailand-born Baggott travelled with the senior squad to Plymouth before Christmas and was on the bench for the first time for Tuesday’s home game against Sunderland.

Photo: Matchday Images

WhoisJimmyJuan added 17:37 - Jan 28 I like the direct statement of wanting to be in the first team this season. One hopes that we will have a new, progressive, intelligent, articulate, sensible, ambitious manager in place by then.
19

Beattiesballbag added 17:47 - Jan 28 As well as being a big lad the only time I saw him he looked quick up top & much more aware of whats going on arround him , which unfortunatly is more than can be said for present occupants on to many occasions. Hopefully not to long before we see him & Ndaba commanding a first team place
11

DifferentGravy added 17:51 - Jan 28 Good lad!!!
7

ArnieM added 17:55 - Jan 28 Now play him , Lambert!
1

therein61 added 18:06 - Jan 28 Baggott, Wolfenden, Ndaba the future looks bright in central back 4 now just get someone in with a footballing brain to select them.
15

johnwarksshorts added 18:19 - Jan 28 This is great news. I think he's got bags of potential, and I like the lads attitude.
7

Timefliesbyintheblue added 18:35 - Jan 28 Please gentlemen give our youngsters time. So often before, you have called for them to be given first team places and then criticise when it does not happen. Kenlock is a good example where in the past you pleaded for him to play, then after a few poor performances scream for him to be dropped. When they are ready they will play and remember the percentage that make it is not that large.

2

Timefliesbyintheblue added 18:37 - Jan 28 And ladies of course - apologies for missing you out!
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chepstowblue added 19:04 - Jan 28 With Toto a liability at times and Woolfenden's performances getting worse by the game, it appears to me than Ndaba and Baggott are the future central defensive pairing. I hope when I eventually see them perform they live up to their reputations. Our youngsters seldom do when they make the break through to the first team.
1

Bert added 19:19 - Jan 28 Even with our woes and turbulence good to see a promising young lad sign for us rather than waste away in the PL. One for next season rather than throwing him into the lion's den now.
5

el_nino added 19:43 - Jan 28 Seems like a sensible and switched on young man.
4

timkatieadamitfc added 19:58 - Jan 28 3-5-2 with baggott, woolfenden and ndaba being the three
3

Nobbysnuts added 20:16 - Jan 28 You should of moved on.....no future at this dying club....
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shakytown added 20:35 - Jan 28 If hes good enough hes old enough. We never used to paper the youngsters like we do now. Burley made his debut against man u at old trafford when he was 18. our defense is a train wreck waiting to happen every game so why not give him a try. Certainly could be no worse than toto and seems to have far more brain power.
1

shakytown added 20:35 - Jan 28 Pamper not paper
0

Edmundo added 20:49 - Jan 28 Woolfy, Baggot, Nydam (when fit), KVY, Bishop, Dozzell, Downes, Gibb, all across the park... just need some strikers to come through for us. The future looks bright, IF we have a manager willing to make it work through the academy and with a couple of astute signings.
5

shortmarine1969 added 21:51 - Jan 28 While it is good he has signed and we may see something of him, the reality as soon as he turns is some good performances that are in any way consistent (or even not, in some cases) then he will be off for not much money as we are in league one -the same player in the championship is worth several million more, a simple fact, contract or not, and nothing we can do about it, that is why Evans five-point plan is absolute cobblers, all this growing you own team is tosh unlesss your CAT 1. ME has/is destroying the club and his total inability to act in a timely fashion removing PL is just another example. But all the best to young Baggot , he looks like he will have a bright future..will it be with us..i doubt it very much.

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KiwiBlue2 added 22:48 - Jan 28 Edmundo - good point regarding strikers. I have been wondering what Tyreece Simpson has been doing. I recall him getting some time late last season and looking promising but he seems to be off the radar at present which is surprising given our present injury situation up top.
3

MickMillsTash added 23:30 - Jan 28 To be a good defender you need a coach to teach you what to do. Make good decisions Lets hope Baggott gets good coaching Lambert OUT
4

baldman added 08:46 - Jan 29 Hopefully some mega rich business man from that part of the world might want to look at ipswich now you never know fingers crossed
1

BettyBlue added 09:10 - Jan 29 Ditch the over 30yr olds and send the loan players home. Play the youngsters, they can't do any worse than the over paid non- entities.
0

Orraman added 13:13 - Jan 29 As someone who moaned a couple of months ago about reports of him wanting to move.......Elkan, I am sorry. Hope all goes well for you and that you get a first team game soon
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