Centre-half Luke Woolfenden has signed a new three-year deal, tying him to his hometown club until the summer of 2025.

Woolfenden, 23, came through the academy and has made 101 senior starts and six sub appearances, scoring twice.

Having been out of the first-team picture earlier in the season under Paul Cook and appearing likely to move on, the former East Bergholt High School pupil firmly established himself in the back three under Kieran McKenna having returned to the team during John McGreal's spell as interim manager.

The Chantry-raised defender played every minute of McKenna's 23 matches in charge, including the club record-breaking 592 minutes without conceding in February.

Woolfenden, who was previously contracted until the summer of 2024, says he’s pleased to have extended his deal.

“I was really enjoying my football in the second half of last season, and I am delighted to have signed a new contract,” he told iFollow Ipswich.

“Working with the boss has been great and I am also enjoying my role in the team.

“I believe the club is only going in one direction and I want to be a part of it, with an immediate aim of promotion next season.”

Manager Kieran McKenna added: “Luke applied himself well last season and put in some strong performances for us.

“He contributed defensively but also played a part in starting attacks and driving us forward. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him so far, and I look forward to seeing him continue to focus and grow as a player at the club.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Dissboyitfc added 07:36 - May 19 yes bluearmy things are certainly looking at lot more rosy in the garden!! But make no mistake about it, Gamechanger are in this for the money! It doesnt bare thinking about should things not go as planned, there are no guarantees this is all going to have a happy ending, like everyone i desperately want this all to work, but those roses could so easily turn brown! Whilst i was neither an evans fan or hater, only time will tell how good the new owners are! This is not me being negative, more being cautious! Evans has gone, but lets not forget he sorted this sale out and most things he did for this club werent great! so in time we can thank him for getting it over the line or curse him for selling to Gamechanger! So for now COYBs and bluearmy let it go!

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dirtydingusmagee added 07:37 - May 19 there was a time when i didnt think he would make the grade, at least at ITFC, but he has come on a bundle over past months, pleased to see he has now got extended contract . Going to be an interesting summer.
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Len_Brennan added 07:50 - May 19 The majority saleable assets are being tied to long contracts; so even though there is no guarantee that higher up clubs won't come in for them & they'll leave, it will mean a very good fee to reinvest if they do. Our key players, such as Walton. Edmondson. Woolfenden & Morsy will not leave without serious compensation coming in (unless they have special clauses which seems unlikely). To complete that spine, we need a goal scoring center forward of course, and arguably another central midfielder, who is undeniable. Something tells me we'll get one.

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Linkboy13 added 10:01 - May 19 Looks a class player in league one. Remember he made his debut in the championship and didn't look out of place.
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Razor added 10:03 - May 19 This is another re-born player who discovered how good he actually is he dyed his hair in celebration! This is of course great news----the other big example is Donacien who also was brilliant in the last 3 months apart from one glaring error-----but he did not dye his hair!!
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Orraman added 11:28 - May 19 Thanks to John McGreal who could see the real potential in Woolfy and got him in his team at first available opportunity. His short spell in charge provided the perfect buffer zone between the awful Cook and the handover to Kieran and Luke has never looked back since that day. So good to see his Beattie/Bramble type forages forward causing fear in opposition defences and excitement amongst fans

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WiltsBlue added 22:40 - May 19 This is great news and it's great to see players want to play and extend their contracts for this great club and recognise that the club is heading in the right direction and clearly have great plans for the future not to mention the fact that they want to play and enjoy working with this manager. For many years we've had nothing to be positive about but finally that positivity seems to be coming back in abundance The future certainly looks a lot brighter and there seems to be I renewed breath of fresh air surrounding Portman Road.

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