Ipswich Town midfielder Idris El Mizouni has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The 18-year-old put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal at Portman Road, keeping him at Blues until the summer of 2021.
The club has the option to extend the deal a further 12 months.
El Mizouni, a talented young midfielder who is good on the ball, was born in France but has recently represented a Tunisian Under 23 side, who work as part of the Olympic football cycle.
MORE: ‘Everyone knows how highly we all rated him’ – Gerken on the return of McGoldrick to Portman Road
When asked about the teenager recently, first-team manager Paul Lambert said: “He’s doing well, Idris, he is doing really well.
“But the thing for me is that we’ve got a helluva lot of young players here anyway who are probably just a wee bit advanced on him at the minute.
“But again, I can’t sit here and hang my hat on somebody at the minute, we have to get a little bit more [experience] in the first team without a doubt. Hopefully I can get that in January. He’s one to keep an eye on and nurture but there’s still a helluva long way for him to go.”
El Mizouni has been a regular in the Blues’ Under 23 team this season.
MORE: ‘It’s great following in my dad’s footsteps’ - keeper Wright signs new deal
IPSWICH TOWN CONTRACT SITUATION
IN LAST YEAR (WITHOUT EXTENSION OPTION)
Knudsen, Bishop, McKendry
IN LAST YEAR (WITH EXTENSION OPTION)
Gerken, Chambers, Ward, Adeyemi, Spence, Kenlock, Emmanuel, Woolfenden, C.Smith
CONTRACTED UNTIL 2020
Skuse, Edwards, Harrison, Roberts, Dozzell, Downes, Rowe, Sears
CONTRACTED UNTIL 2021
Bialkowski, Nsiala, Nolan, Jackson, Huws, Folami, Cotter, Nydam, Drinan, Morris, Wright, El Mizouni
LOANS FOR SEASON
Donacien (to become permanent), Pennington, Chalobah, Edun, Graham
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here