Ipswich Town: Christian Walton on signing new deal at Blues

The 28-year-old agreed to a new two-year contract at the club earlier this month, having made his Premier League debut in the season opener against Liverpool at Portman Road.

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Walton, who signed from Brighton back in the summer of 2021, was Town's unquestioned number one as the Blues surged to promotion from League One.

But he suffered a foot injury on the eve of last season and then had to watch from the bench as Vaclav Hladky made the spot between the sticks his own on the way to the Premier League.

And Walton says being relegated to back-up helped him improve.

Christian Walton lost his starting spot to Vaclav Hladky last season (Image: Ross Halls) He told TownTV: "I haven’t played as much as I would have liked in the last season, but I felt that was a time for me to reflect on where I was as a goalkeeper and where I can improve – and making sure I did that, just improving in small percentages each day, so when my opportunity does come I’m in the best position to go and perform.”

Asked why he decided to sign a new deal, he explained: "First and foremost, I think it was a question of 'am I enjoying my time at a football club?' And I definitely am, so that’s the first thing.

“I want to improve as a player – I feel this is the best place for me to do that, with the coaching staff and the manager, everything that’s at the club now is a big factor to why I wanted to stay.

“And I think I speak for everyone. New signings coming in just want to come and be part of it and improve as people and players.”

In a reversal of fortune, Walton started the season in goal after summer signing Aro Muric suffered an injury (Image: Ross Halls) He added: "I’m obviously delighted. I’ve been here for three seasons now, and what a journey it’s been.

“To sign a new deal and extend my time here was something I wanted to do – and my family really wanted me to do.

“They’ve been coming to watch and follow my journey at this club, and it has been that – a really good journey.”

Having barely played a minute in the league last season, Walton then had a reversal of fortune this term, with summer signing Aro Muric injured ahead of the big kick-off.

Walton duly stepped up and impressed as Town returned to the Premier League after 22 years away with a battling 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool.

Christian Walton impressed on opening day against Liverpool (Image: Ross Halls) “It was a really nice opportunity for me," he admitted. "Obviously not playing last season, you feel like you’re a million miles away from it at times.

“But to play on that opening day, what a great occasion. 22 years that the club hadn’t been in the Premier League and for me it was the best atmosphere that I’ve seen at Portman Road in my time here.

“We’ve had two promotions which brought 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 obviously it’s a case of building on that and getting as much support as we can throughout the season.”

He added: “I know it’s a bit cliched, but it’s always on to the next one.

“We have a different schedule in the Premier League so the games aren’t as frequent as Championship and League One, but we just need to keep building on that.”

And Walton insisted that, whoever plays in goal, they have the full backing of the other keepers at the club.

Walton says Town's keepers are a 'really settled group' under coach Rene Gilmartin (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976935738) “It’s a really settled group" he enthused. "I’m probably the longest-serving in that group now, and it’s great to come in and work with those guys every day, 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.”