Bishop signs new deal.

[Bluemike]

Midfielder Teddy Bishop has put pen to paper on a new contract until 2018 this afternoon with the deal having an option for a further season. The 18-year-old was previously contracted until the summer of 2016.

“It’s great news. I’m delighted for the Bish and for the club,” boss Mick McCarthy told the club site.

“He is going to play in the Premier League, no doubt about that. Let’s hope it’s with us. He wants it to be with us and hopefully it will be next year. We’ve still got a chance.


“Whatever happens, he will play there because he’s that good. This is no false dawn. I’m not looking through rose-tinted glasses. He can be top class.

“We are still nursing him through games because of the physical side of the Championship but in terms of what he does on the pitch, he has been great.

“Aitor Karanka, the Middlesbrough manager, got it right when he said he shone like a beacon against them.”

Bishop added: "I'm delighted to get the new contract and I'm glad to have got everything signed.

"The season has gone really well so far- for both me and Ipswich- and hopefully we can keep pushing on.

McCarthy also confirmed that first-year scholar Kundai Benyu, 17, has agreed his first professional contract, a two-and-a-half-year deal.

“He’s a bright, young prospect, it’s lovely to see him coming through the academy,” McCarthy said. "Kundai will be a first-team player at some stage.”

This is by far and away the best signing today, great news. This lad is going to be top class, no doubt about it.

Also good to see young kundai Benyu coming through the academy and getting a contract, have read good things about this kid too so hopefully he will turn out to be another Teddy Bishop. It really shows up this category one academy status for what it is, total bollocks.

[marko69]

Pretty sure I had a plate of Kundai Benyu with rice when I was in Kuala Lumpur a few years back. Maybe I'm mistaken.

Excellent Bishop news. Only ever read good things about the lad.

Normally it is only ever bad news when Bishops are concerned.

[herforder]

Great day for the club and, hopefully, for young Bishop. The future's bright!

[The Don]

In ways, this is by far our best bit of business this year. If the transfer window was still open, I'd be pretty happy with this alone.

[James Scharmann]

Brilliant just what we wanted so Premiership clubs could take him off us.

[hallamblue]

Great news. I really hope Bish stays with us even if we dont make it up this season. Would be a big mistake to move to bigger PL club in summer. We shall see.

[derick_ipsw]

Brilliant just what we wanted so Premiership clubs could take him off us.

They still can.... His money will of gone up and the club will have a clause in the contract that says a minimum of £8 million to sell, just like Connor Wickham did , he signed a new deal then Sunderland met the fee in the contract.

[hallamblue]

I think the major difference now is Evans WILL drive a hard bargin and secure thd best possible terms for ITFC should any talent leave us, unlike days gone by.