Town have confirmed the signing of Brighton and Hove Albion keeper Christian Walton on a season-long loan.

News of the Blues’ interest in the 25-year-old first emerged yesterday and he was at the club this morning to undergo a medical and put pen to paper on the deal. Derby and Nottingham Forest were among a number of Championship clubs understood to have shown interest.

“I’m really pleased to be here,” Walton told iFollow Ipswich. “I’ve not met the lads yet but I’m looking forward to working with the group.

“The gaffer has put together a strong squad and I have good experience at this level so I’m hoping I can bring that to the challenge.”

Walton was widely tipped to be on Town’s radar this summer having played for Paul Cook during a loan spell at Wigan Athletic during their 2017/18 League One title-winning campaign and also the following season in the Championship.

“I know Christian very well,” Cook added. “He’s a commanding goalkeeper, a great lad and he’s got experience at Championship and League One level. I’m absolutely delighted that we have acquired him.”

Brighton head coach Graham Potter said: “Christian is at the stage of his career he wants to play regular football and with four very good senior goalkeepers at the club it was clear game time would be at a premium this season.

“With Ipswich he will have that opportunity to play regularly under a manager he enjoyed one of the most successful periods of his career.

“It’s a really good loan move for him and one which we all wish him well for the season ahead.”

Town were always expected to sign two keepers during this transfer window with Cook believed to have told both David Cornell - who is now with Peterborough - and Tomas Holy they could move on.

Vaclav Hladky was signed from Salford in June and has played every League One game so far but has had a difficult start to his time with the Blues.

Wadebridge-born Walton, who is 6ft 5in tall, was a schoolboy with Plymouth’s academy before moving on to the youth set-up at Brighton.

A former England U19, U20 and U21 international, Walton has made six starts for the Seagulls and has had spells on loan with Bury, back with the Pilgrims, Luton, Southend and Blackburn in addition to his time with the Latics.

As well as having played under Cook at Wigan, Walton previously worked with Town keeper-coach John Keeley when he spent time on the Seagulls' U23s staff in 2016.

Walton is Town's 17th signing of the summer with Bersant Celina set to become the 18th, TWTD having revealed earlier today that a deal which will see the Kosovan return on loan from Dijon is all but done.

Photo: ITFC

Europablue added 13:45 - Aug 30 From reading some of the comments it's as if some people aren't really aware of reality. Every signing is a risk no matter who it is. Players could get injured early on, not settle well in the area with their families, struggle with the group of players they are playing with, struggle with the tactics of the manager, etc. Hladky isn't even a failure, he could well come good and be a decent player for us in future.

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HighgateBlue added 13:46 - Aug 30 This is a great signing. Whether or not this was planned anyway, it's a good decision. Hladky has been very much worse than what was required. Cook has seen a problem and taken corrective action. Kudos.
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leroy2488 added 13:48 - Aug 30 Feel sorry for Hladky in that he's not had great support from some other players, I also feel Holy could have been given a chance before now, as even without the best defence in front of him, he did keep quite a few clean sheets last season. However, when you look at how many shots on target our opposition have had each game this season, it's usually about the same number as the opposition have scored. Simply not enough shots saved. Look forwards to seeing Walton hopefully with Burgess and Edmondson in front of him after a couple of weeks on the training ground and if we do get Morsey and Celina, we will potentially have a very strong squad. ‘If'we can push on and go up this year, the fact we will have a few loans again isn't a big problem as I'm sure if they are wanted they'd be kept in another overhaul for the Championship.

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Jugsy added 13:58 - Aug 30 A loan goalkeeper is a great decision to put some heat under Hladky. Unfortunately, he's been at fault for a number of goals, and he's the only player that has yet to have competition or to switch out. Holy's not up to the task and should go. A confident gk will instill confidence in the defence, not saying those guys are without criticism. A much needed signing.
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blues1 added 14:10 - Aug 30 Those fans slating hladky should give their head a wobble. Hes made 1 real error on saturday. Yes can question his positioning for the free kick last week but he didnt stand anywhere, any other keeper doesnt do. I've always questioned why keepers leave such a large gap. He hadnt looked comfortable tho, but it has to be taken into account that hes had to play behind a different back for almost every match which doesnt help a keeper at all. Sure hed becbetter with a settled defence in front of him. Am happy at this signing tho. Hopefully it could turn into a permanent deal next season if all goes well.

3

blues1 added 14:14 - Aug 30 Tractorboy12341234. What?. How has Hladky cost us every game? His only actual error was the 2nd goal on saturday. Hes also kept us in games a few times.
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rdibble added 14:48 - Aug 30 Welcome COYB
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Marcus added 14:51 - Aug 30 Hladcky looks like a player who has stepped up a bit too quickly. He has the talent, just needs to build confidence. One for the future and it will certainly help to have an experienced first choice both for the club and for his development.
2

Mariner1974 added 14:56 - Aug 30 Felt we should have had Holy in against Cheltenham, to combat their long throw. Even at that stage in the season it looked like Hladky didn't command his box in the way required for teams like Cheltenham and Wimbledon. Holy has that ability, but probably not as good a shot stopper as Hladky. Truth is in this league you're gonna get battered at set pieces by inferior teams if you don't have a keeper that commands the box and puts the defenders in front of him at ease. Having to pick which games suit Hladky and which games suit Holy is a serious Czech Mate situation. Let's hope Walton can do both jobs. From open play you couldn't fault KVY/Coulson/Burgess and Wolfie at all against Wimbledon. It was those set pieces... It did seem those guys need a keeper they can trust to come out and claim those crosses, corners and long throws in the box that this League thrives upon. If Walton can do that job, he can sit on my porch when ever he likes and say 'Goodnight John Boy & Goodnight Mary Ellen'

1

brendenward35 added 14:57 - Aug 30 How many loan players can we have in match day squad? Walton, coulson, maybe Celina I'm sure we have at least one or two more loans but might be wrong
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runningout added 15:08 - Aug 30 With a bit of luck our keeper shouldn't be too busy. When they are you can rely on them :-)
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carlisleaway added 15:20 - Aug 30 First time a goalkeeper has been signed and Hldaky put out on loan
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carlisleaway added 15:20 - Aug 30 First time a goalkeeper has been signed and Hldaky put out on loan
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ITFC_Singapore added 15:27 - Aug 30 Best news EVER ! SOOOOO needed !! Know nothing about him.....but i've seen Hladky . :)
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jas0999 added 15:35 - Aug 30 Although I think this is a good signing, having four loans likely to be five or possibly even six - is madness. No doubt two or three quality loans (Bonne and Coulsen) add value to our players in a squad for the season. But for me we now have too many.
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Monkey_Blue added 15:44 - Aug 30 I feel sorry for Holy. Hladky has been worse than him last season so we've signed this guy and it's Thomas who'll get shoved out. Effectively Hladky's poor form has led to Holy suffering.
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DebsyAngel added 15:47 - Aug 30 A VERY welcome addition - I would put him straight in the team from the next match.
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TimmyH added 16:17 - Aug 30 Look at the size of his hands!!...bigger than Kenny Everett's, nothings going past those.
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Mariner1974 added 16:28 - Aug 30 Have you been near to Kenny Everett's hands? Have you got the help since to deal with the repercussions?
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Robert_Garrett added 16:30 - Aug 30 Not been convinced to join to sit on his hands? Now need to shuffle the guys in fornt of him to form an impregnable brick wall to save the "nil".
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Marinersnose added 16:34 - Aug 30 I don't know much about this keeper but poor Hladky is lacking confidence and his defenders don't trust him which was clear on the two occasions that Woolfenden exchanged words with him on Saturday. The keeper is the last line of defence and cannot be held responsible for our poor defending. Our midfield pair are the main problem but blame appears to shift between keeper and defenders. The midfield pair doesn't work so Carroll needs his opportunity. Welcome to the new keeper we need two keepers as Holy isn't good enough . Much work needed on the training ground and maybe a coach with a defensive background. Butcher?

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Bert added 17:05 - Aug 30 A good loan signing. I would keep Holy. He did not lose us many points at all last year. Yes, he is poor with his feet but there is a keeper in him. He also shows respect to the fans.
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:16 - Aug 30 Hladky has been shaky BUT he is the last line in defence, and to be fair those in front of him havnt covered themselves in glory ..Welcome to Town Christian, you will have your hands full , but as long as you hang onto ball we will be ok. As for Hladky, im sure he has better times in front of him .
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masetheace added 17:30 - Aug 30 Concerned with the number of ex Cook recruits . All sounds a bit too comfortable
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micky_1560 added 19:14 - Aug 30 Everybody calling for Holy are calling for the same keeper who was rooted to the spot last year as goals went in. Also doesn't make use of his height and command the 6 yard box, let alone the penalty area! Hopefully Walton will be the keeper to do this. Hladky may well still come good as early days yet..
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