Town Closing in On Walton Signing
Monday, 17th Jan 2022 11:57

Town are closing in on the permanent signing of loan keeper Christian Walton from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Walton is currently back with the Seagulls after the Premier League club exercised their option to recall him with seven days’ notice at the start of last week.

Discussions have been ongoing and we understand are close to a conclusion although the move may not be confirmed today with the 26-year-old not presently in Suffolk.

A nominal fee is understood to have been agreed with Brighton having been looking to sell Walton during this transfer window with his contract up in the summer. It's believed the keeper will put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Speaking on Saturday, manager Kieran McKenna said the deal was making good progress.

“Last time I heard the club was working on it, they were positive a solution would be met with Brighton,” he said. “And I’ve not been updated any more, the situation is still the same, we’re still hoping that that will get done.”

Walton, who was linked with another of his previous loan clubs, Luton, over the weekend, has been one of Town's best performers since joining in August.

When asked about his future following the FA Cup replay defeat to Barrow last month, he was unable to comment but said he was happy at Portman Road.

“I think that sort of thing is best left to the hierarchy within the clubs,” he said. “I’ve nothing to say on that at the minute because I don’t really know my situation. All I do know is that I’m playing for Ipswich Town and I’m really enjoying my football here.

“I think my form’s been good but I don’t think that’s for me to talk about at this moment, after a 2-0 defeat at Barrow.

“As long as I can keep doing as much as I can for the team within games then hopefully it spirals and has a knock-on effect throughout the team.

“I will always want to be doing better and will continue to work hard and apply myself. This is a great football club to be playing for and I love playing for the club.

“This is a massive football club and any player within the divisions would want to come and play for Ipswich.

“You’ve seen the players that we’ve recruited in the summer from higher divisions and you can see from the support that we get how good the club is. I’m really enjoying my time here.”

As previously reported, Walton is also understood to have a strong relationship with new goalkeeper-coach Rene Gilmartin, the pair having been at Plymouth together early in his career.

Photo: Matchday Images

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OzzyBlue added 12:00 - Jan 17 Huge news! Let's get this across the line!
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ArnieM added 12:03 - Jan 17 Brilliant news , and will be our biggest signing this window IMO….Hopefully He's ours ðŸ‘
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brendenward35 added 12:03 - Jan 17 I said a few weeks ago if we get this over the line then the Yanks mean business and Ashton is brilliant as a lot of us thought this just wasn't possible with wage structures etc. Fingers crossed this gets over the line
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boroughblue added 12:04 - Jan 17 Massive statement of intent and a great piece of work by Mark Ashton. Got to admit, this seems to be a deal that definitely would not have been completed under ME. Lets get it done!
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Bazza8564 added 12:04 - Jan 17 magic news
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Barhamblue added 12:10 - Jan 17 This is a great move for all concerned. Mark Ashton and the board are proven their worth when it comes to transfer dealings. A big well done to everybody!
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SickParrot added 12:14 - Jan 17 Great news. Call me greedy but I'd like a few more please. Centre back, left back and another central midfield battler. May have to off load a few first to stay within the wage limits.
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Murphys_Law added 12:23 - Jan 17 Will be good work if this comes off. I'm equally interested in seeing who is departing in this window to balance the books!
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Karlosfandangal added 12:47 - Jan 17 Well we all want Bonne and Walton to sign permanently looks like this will happen, Bonne at the end of the season maybe. Excellent news just need a few positions covered by better players and a real force next season, although still hoping it can happen this season, just need a run and soon
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runningout added 13:11 - Jan 17 Don't count on anything
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EricsGate added 13:15 - Jan 17 Yeah Baby
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ThaiBlue added 13:15 - Jan 17 Surprised hes gonna sign for us as luton want him.think he would want to better himself not stay at ipswich for another season in league 1.
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timkatieadamitfc added 13:21 - Jan 17 He can see the ambition at the club ThaiBlue, Luton not really going anywhere and we look like a good project to actually get to prem, let's get this deal done REALLY important signing, best keeper since Bart and imo equally as good
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JewellintheTown added 13:22 - Jan 17

Don't want to be a doom merchant but I suspect we've been "closing in on" signing up Walton on a permanent basis for a long while, possibly conditionally even before the loan started.
Phil has a great handle on false alarms so I'd trust his thoughts more than other sources, but not the same as "due to sign" etc.
Lot can happen, from both clubs, player, agents, families, other third parties like clubs or players, especially after returning to Brighton, that could scupper this deal.

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cat added 13:30 - Jan 17 Yep this will be a big signing along with a message of intent. Walton commands his box, is a great shot stopper and confident with the ball on the deck. I'd say he's the complete Keeper, specially at our current level.
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MickMillsTash added 14:27 - Jan 17 26 year old - could have some sell on value Hopefully he is our number 1 for the next 10 years
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BlueHope22 added 15:08 - Jan 17 He has just signed a 3 year deal thank God COYB ðŸšœðŸšœðŸšœ
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telpajak added 15:43 - Jan 17 Excellent signing! We mean business and what good business our owners and staff mean! Team building is what it's about and Walton most definitely a part of that!
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ringwoodblue added 15:48 - Jan 17 I'll be pleasantly surprised if this happens as I didn't think we could offer him anywhere near the wages he would be looking for. If it is finalised, it proves yet again how good Ashton is and how much backing he is getting from the owners. Fingers crossed they can get this deal done.
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PortmanTerrorist added 15:53 - Jan 17 That will be one big headache for the new Boss as he can chalk that position off and focus on the 10 in front of him. Amazing news if true.
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dubblue added 16:26 - Jan 17 Excellent news assuming it is confirmed always thought this would be a harder ask than getting Bonne on board. Agree this shows the board and MA mean business. Against that if the only real competition was Luton I would have been quietly confident. A massive boost after Saturday's disappointment.
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