Ipswich Town centre-back Luke Woolfenden signs new contract with the club until 2027

Ipswich Town’s homegrown centre-back Luke Woolfenden has signed a new contract with the club to end speculation on his future.

The 26-year-old has extended his deal to the summer of 2027, with the club having the option of an extra year.

“I’m proud of what I have achieved at the club and I’m so pleased to have signed a new deal,” Woolfenden told the club site, with his previous deal having been set to expire at the end of the season.

“The last two years have been amazing. I’m just loving every minute.”

And speaking to Town TV, he went on to say: “I think happy is probably the only word I can say. The club’s in the Premier League, so it made sense to sign a new deal.

“I think it’s not something I’d ever have imagined, being here this long. It’s panned out in a way I wouldn’t ever expected.

“I think I’ve had times where I’ve looked dead nailed-on to leave and then it can change so quickly in football and I’ve always been quite lucky in that respect that the tough times have never lasted that long for me, so it’s been enjoyable.”

The Chantry-raised academy product - who has been at the club since the age of 11 - made his Town debut in August 2017 in a League Cup tie win at Luton, and also had loan spells earlier in his career with Bromley and Swindon.

The announcement came just hours after manager Kieran McKenna dismissed any suggestion of Woolfenden leaving Portman Road on loan before the transfer window closes on Monday evening.

Read more: McKenna’s latest views on January transfer window

The defender has played 206 times for Ipswich, including 10 matches in all competitions this season.