Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says the club are looking to tie more of their promotion-winning stars to new contracts.

Winger Wes Burns and goalkeeper Christian Walton recently put pen to paper on fresh two-year deals, having helped the Blues rise from League One to the Premier League.

They joined Sam Morsy in extending their stays at Portman Road this summer.

Christian Walton signed a new deal last weekChristian Walton signed a new deal last week (Image: Ross Halls) “It’s very important we keep a good core of players who have been a really, really important part of the journey over the last couple of years," said McKenna, who shelled out in excess of £100m in transfer fees to bolster his squad with 12 new signings this summer.

“As we grow and develop now as a football club, and as we bring new players in, those players who have been part of the journey are going to help with integration both on and off the pitch.  

“These players have been a big part of the culture that has been built at the training ground. Christian, in his role in the goalkeeper department, is very much an example of that. Wes has produced performances that we hoped for and expected in the Premier League – he had a really good start against Liverpool – and also he is a positive and popular character around the training ground. Both have important roles to play. 

“We want to keep that balance this season of players who have been with us and having new players we think can help us and add to us. I think where we’ve ended up at the end of the transfer window is a good balance and pretty much where we wanted to be.  

“Getting that blend right is how we want to build and develop the squad.

"Those two boys signing contracts is a pretty good sign of the model that we want to follow. 

"I think there are conversations ongoing with some others in terms of them receiving and committing to new contracts."

Leif Davis is in the final year of his contractLeif Davis is in the final year of his contract (Image: Steve Waller)

Leif Davis, Luke Woolfenden, Axel Tuanzebe and Cameron Burgess are now in the final year of their contracts, though Ipswich do have a one year extension option when it comes to Davis.

TOWN CONTRACTS

* Known 12 month extension option for club

Loan: Phillips, Cajuste

2025: Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis*, Luongo*, Edmundson, Baggott*, Harness* 

2026:  Walton, Slicker, H.Clarke*, Townsend, Morsy, Taylor, Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead, Humphreys

2027: Hirst

2028: Muric, Johnson, Ogbene, Szmodics, J.Clarke, Al-Hamadi

2029: O'Shea, Greaves, Hutchinson, Delap