Double boost as Aaron Cresswell and Jack Marriott sign contract extensions

Jack Marriott. Photo: James Ager (Image: Archant)

Left-back Cresswell – who turns 24 on Sunday – had 18 months left on his previous deal, but the Blues have moved to protect the value of their most sellable playing asset by extending it until 2017.

Teenage striker Marriott, who has scored six goals in five games on loan at Skrill Premier side Woking, has penned an 18 month deal.

Town have seen many sellable assets leave the club on Bosman free transfers in recent years, the likes of Grant Leadbitter, Gareth McAuley and David Norris walking away after their contracts came to an end.

McCarthy vowed not to let that situation happen again soon after he took charge in November last year, with the likes of Tommy Smith, Luke Hyam, Tyrone Mings and Frank Nouble all signing contract extensions recently.

Of the current first team crop, only Carlos Edwards is due to be out-of-contract next summer, while Stephen Hunt’s pay-as-you-play deal expires in January.

Liverpool-born Cresswell was brought to the Suffolk club by previous manager Paul Jewell from League One side Tranmere Rovers, a tribunal setting an initial transfer fee of £240,000. Since then a further £180,000 has been paid due to the defender making 60 appearances for the Blues,

Town would have to pay a further £100,000 if they were to gain promotion to the Premier League this season, while the Wirral outfit would receive 20% of any profit the Blues make on the player should he be sold on.

What a piece of business that now looks. Cresswell has missed just five matches out of a possible 117 during his two-and-a-half years at Portman Road.

Named ‘Supporters’ Player of the Year’ following a superb debut season at Championship level, Cresswell was the subject of a summer enquiry from Aston Villa and linked with a number of other top-flight clubs. He remained at the Suffolk club though and played every minute of every match in 2013/14.

Manager Mick McCarthy has repeatedly labelled him ‘the best left-back in the Championship’ and called him a ‘Premier League player in the making’, with the left-back’s nine assists from 17 matches this season (the best in the division) backing up that claim.

“I had about 18 months left to run on my contract so I’m obviously delighted to have extended that,” said Cresswell, who has scored seven goals for the club.

“I’m really enjoying my football here. There is a good feel about the place and it’s enjoyable coming to work every day.

“I feel I have progressed as a player and, like any professional, I want to get to the top and that means playing in the Premier League.

“Hopefully I can do that with Ipswich.”