Keeper Christian Walton says enjoying being at the club and feeling Town is the best place for him to improve were behind his decision to sign a new two-year deal with the Blues last week.

Like teammate Wes Burns, Walton put pen to paper on a contract which runs to the summer of 2026.

The 28-year-old joined the Blues in August 2021 initially on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion before making the move permanent the following January.

“Obviously delighted,” he told TownTV. “I’ve been here for three seasons now and what a journey it’s been, so to sign a new deal and extend my time here was something I wanted to do.

“And it was something my family really wanted me to do. Coming to watch and follow my journey at this club, and it has been that, a really good journey, so I’m delighted.”

He added: “It has been a ride. Some highs, some lows but that’s any football journey. Obviously the highs have been a lot better than the lows.

“It was tough at the start with so many new faces coming into the club but everyone knew what a great club we’ve got here and how well supported it is. To see the highs over the last two seasons especially has been amazing.”

Walton played all bar the final few minutes of Town's 2022/23 League One promotion season but after suffering an injury in pre-season featured for only the last couple of minutes of the Championship promotion campaign.

He then made his Premier League debut against Liverpool on the opening day after new signing Aro Muric picked up a knock in training.

Asked about his decision-making process when it came to agreeing his new deal, he said: “I think first and foremost it’s whether I’m enjoying my time at a football club and I definitely am, so that was the first thing.

“And wanting to improve as a player, and I feel this is best place for me to do that with the coaching staff, the manager and everything that’s at the club now.

“That’s a big factor to why I wanted to stay and I speak for everyone on that, the new signings coming in just want to come and be part of it and improve as people and as players.”

Walton says he enjoys working with head of goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin, who is now assisted by ex-West Ham keeper David Martin, and alongside Muric, third-choice Cieran Slicker and youngster Henry Gray.

“It’s a really settled group,” he said. “I’m the longest in that group now. It’s great to come in and work with those guys every day and it makes it really enjoyable.

“We’re all pushing each other to do well and whoever’s playing gets the support from the group and we’re pushing each other each and every day in training.”

Reflecting on that surprise Premier League debut at Portman Road on the opening day, he added: “It was a really nice opportunity for me. Obviously, not playing last season, you feel like you’re a million miles away from it at times.

“To play on that opening day, what a great occasion. Twenty-two years that the club hadn’t been in the Premier League and for me it was the best atmosphere I’ve seen at Portman Road in my time here with two promotions, which bring a great atmosphere, but I thought that opening day was something special.

“It will be a memory for life and I loved it, but now it’s building on that and getting as much support as we can throughout the season.

“It’s always on to the next one. There’s a different schedule in the Premier League so the games aren’t as frequent as in the Championship and League One, but now it’s building on that and taking it into Saturday.”

The latest betting odds for Saturday against Southampton are Town to win at 2/1, the draw at 5/2 and home win 6/5.

Photo: Matchday Images

IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:20 - Sep 16 Good man, you are a real asset to us.
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cooper4england added 17:21 - Sep 16 ~Think we are so lucky to have Walton as our number two. Be interesting to hear exactly why Hladký didn't stay over Walton. Giving Walton those last few minutes made me sure he was saying goodbye. Perhaps Walton is happy being second string where as Hladký wasn't...... or wage demands.
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SoCalTownFan added 17:51 - Sep 16 He lost his place back in League one days through no fault of his own. Hladky just did well so he was stuck with. If we pretend Maidstone and AFC Wimbledon didn't happen.... when he was put back into action, against Liverpool, he performed very well. This shows he was and is up to the job at the highest level. IMO he should be getting a chance after Muric's SNAFUs at Man City and behavior during international duty, Maybe he will, but failing that he is, and has been, a valuable player for us to have when he's needed.

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multiplescoregasms added 18:27 - Sep 16 so @SoCalTown Fan, what behaviour during International duty are you referring to? KMcK seems happy with his version of events but seemingly you don't. Want to elaborate?
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flykickingbybgunn added 18:54 - Sep 16 Very pleased to have Christian still here. A great asset for the team.
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Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 11:25 - Sep 17 @SoCalTown Fan Did you see the Brighton match? Muric played amazingly well. Glad CW is here. Loyal servant and a better shot stopper than Hladky. We're not playing out of the back as much as last season, so it's fine.
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Orraman added 13:24 - Sep 17 We now have Walton and Burns as the latest players to have arrived in Suffolk to be captivated by the facilities of Ipswich as well as our wonderful coastline, beautiful countryside and being able to live in a relatively low crime area. The exceptional support of loyal,enthusiastic and friendly fans has also no doubt contributed to the likes of Sir Alf Ramsay, Bryan Hamilton, George Burley, Alan Hunter, Matt Holland, Mick Mills, Alan Lewis, Cole Skuse, Luke Chambers and no doubt several others who have left from various corners of the U K and decided to make their lifetime home in the wonderful County of Suffolk.

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Orraman added 13:31 - Sep 17 ^^^^How could I have missed out John Wark - one of our greatest?
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Bazza8564 added 16:24 - Sep 17 cooper4england, Vas wanted a two year deal and the club offered one (aged 34), and the club has offered Chris another 12 months on top of his existing deal largely so he can't walk away in January for nothing. Im unconvinced he won't move on in January anyway and we will bring another top keeper in. I rated Vas over CW to be honest and I remain convinced we will start playing through the back soon, we have had 3 of the top 6 in our first four games and we need to get back to that style again before long. CW has no role in that. Muric had 5 bad minutes at City, after 3 god pre season games and he was awesome against Brighton. @socaltownfan you need to get yourself a streaming service fella, you missed one of. the best keeping displays in years from a Town keeper! So whilst Im pleased CW has extended his stay, I would urge people to think more broadly, we only exercised his 12 month option in June to get a fee in the summer window, and had we landed Butland on the final day he would have been gone then anyway. Call me sceptical, but let's see if he is here in February and next summer.

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slobfeatures added 18:35 - Sep 17 Orraman Who is Alan Lewis?
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