Ipswich Town defender Christophe Berra has signed a new three-year contract at Portman Road.

The 29-year-old – who was in the final year of his previous deal – was snapped on a free transfer last summer following his release by Wolves, becoming reunited with manager Mick McCarthy.

An impressive debut campaign for the Suffolk club saw him play virtually every game, score five goals, get named the Supporters’ Player of the Season and earn a recall for Scotland. And he has continued where he left off, already scoring three times this season.

“I’m delighted to see Christophe commit to a new contract here,” McCarthy told the club website. “It’s great news for Ipswich Town, as he’s been absolutely fantastic for us since he first walked through the door. It’s superb news.”

Yesterday saw highly-rated Town teenagers Matthew Clarke and Teddy Bishop pen new two-year deals, with the option of a third. The duo have impressed since being handed their first professional contracts in the summer.

Experienced midfielder Darren Ambrose was also signed on a short-term contract, with the Blues also keen on bringing back Jonny Williams on loan.

Having sold left-back Aaron Cresswell to West Ham for £3.75m in the summer, Blues owner Marcus Evans turned down large bids for David McGoldrick and Tyrone Mings leading up to the summer transfer window closing. The priority will now be to tie McGoldrick down to a longer-term deal.

Speaking to the EADT and Ipswich Star earlier this week, Blues managing director Ian Milne – who always insisted the money raised from the sale of Cresswell would be reinvested in the club – was keen to highlight that wages, rather than transfer fees, can be football club’s biggest expense.