Matt Clarke has signed a new contract at Ipswich Town.

The 18-year-old centre-back – who has proved an instant success at on loan at league Two side Portsmouth – put pen to paper on the deal this morning, this contract running until the summer of 2017 and including the option of an additional 12 months.

“I’m obviously delighted and I guess it’s reward for the progress I have made this season,” said Clarke, whose previous deal ran until 2016.

“The manager wanted me to go out and play games and that is what I have done at Portsmouth and I’m really enjoying it.

“I’m looking to improve as a player and playing games week in, week out is going to help me do that.

“Playing for Portsmouth has been great for me but I see my future at Ipswich. My goal is to get to a standard where the gaffer feels he can put me in his team here.”

Clarke has made seven appearance for unbeaten Pompey so far this season, including a star performance in a Capital One Cup win over Championship outfit Derby.

Having come through Ipswich’s academy, the former Claydon High School pupil made his senior debut for his boyhood club in last season’s Capital One Cup first round tie at Crawley – at left-back rather – and went on to make a further four sub appearances during the Blues’ Championship campaign.