Bart Signs New Town Contract
Monday, 16th Jul 2018 14:24

Town have confirmed that keeper Bartosz Bialkowski has signed his new deal, a three-year contract with an option for a further season.

The Blues rebuffed offers from Birmingham - an initial £2.75 million offer before a later bid of £3 million - to keep hold of Bialkowski, whose current terms were up at the end of the coming season.

“We did receive bids for Bart but they were rejected very quickly,” owner Marcus Evans confirmed to the club site.

“It was always my intention to try and keep him at this football club. Bart made it clear he wanted to stay as well but it was important to reach an agreement that was right for all parties.

“I’m delighted - and I’m sure the supporters are as well - that we have been able to do that.”

We understand weekend reports in the national press claiming the deal is worth £20,000 a week are a significant exaggeration, although the 31-year-old has received a substantial pay rise and will now be one of the club’s top earners.

The move to keep the Polish international, who returned to the Blues today following his post-World Cup break, will be hugely popular with fans who have voted Bialkowski their Player of the Year for the last three seasons.

The former Notts County and Southampton man putting pen to paper ends six months of uncertainty regarding his future.

In January, following interest from Crystal Palace, former manager Mick McCarthy prematurely announced that a new contract had been agreed.

However, Bialkowski later confirmed that there were still aspects of those terms to be finalised and talks were continuing, although he had every intention of remaining with the Blues.

Town expected interest in the summer and the bids from Birmingham duly arrived, however, discussions regarding the new deal - a year longer than the January terms - were already under way with only minor aspects needing to be concluded upon his return to the club today.

Bialkowski will be in the squad which travels to East Grinstead Town's East Court tomorrow to face League Two Crawley Town, but Danish international left-back Jonas Knudsen, who was also at the World Cup, has been given a further week away.

Town could announce another deal later today with Peterborough winger Gwion Edwards close to completing a £700,000 move.

Photo: ITFC

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Furrow added 14:58 - Jul 16 Best post WC news. Could be the difference in top or bottom half of table Welcome back Bartoz great to have you betwen the posts
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DebsyAngel added 15:02 - Jul 16 The news we were all wanting! Fab to read this! Delighted that Bart is staying!!!
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Ryorry added 15:03 - Jul 16 Yay, best new signing yet! Thank you Bart, and whoever else made it happen
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robhed7 added 15:03 - Jul 16 WunderBart!
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Lightningboy added 15:06 - Jul 16 Nice one...now give Waghorn an extended deal please.
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RobbieBobson added 15:25 - Jul 16 Very happy with this. Now just Waghorn to go....
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Nazemariner added 15:28 - Jul 16 I don't mean to be cynical, but it is common practise to tie a key player to along term deal prior to them leaving the club. Pushes up the price you see. Hope I'm wrong though, as Bart is the best keeper in this division by a country mile.
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BigAlsMate added 15:28 - Jul 16 Very good news indeed! Give a statement of intent to clubs who felt they might have got him on the cheap. Well done Bart and to all involved in making this happen. Feeling it might be a half decent season coming up after all
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planetblue_2011 added 15:44 - Jul 16 Get in there sonðŸ˜ðŸ˜
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therein61 added 15:46 - Jul 16 Great news whatever the increase he has more than earnt it in the last 3 seasons.
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bluearmy78 added 15:47 - Jul 16 Fantastic news, True Blue!!
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Blue56 added 16:05 - Jul 16 A lovely guy, true Blue, a good deal for ITFC and good deal for Bart and his family, well done everyone involved.
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itfchorry added 16:20 - Jul 16 Big spoke in the Goal -la la la la
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SohoBlue added 16:32 - Jul 16 Credit where it is due, here. Great re-signing with what sounds like a little give and take on both sides. Fantastic keeper, and good to see a jewel in the slightly battered crown successfully retained.
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jimmyjames added 16:42 - Jul 16 Well done ITFC.
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timkatieadamitfc added 17:06 - Jul 16 This is like a new signing, great news all round and give credit to ME for giving him a good contract. Really thought he was on his way so am pleasantly surprised. Couple of center backs, keep Waghorn and we are on the way. C O Y B.
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oldelsworthyfan added 17:08 - Jul 16 Phew! Now for a central defender
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Lukeybluey added 17:26 - Jul 16 Happy as Larry!
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Lukeybluey added 17:28 - Jul 16 Stick some decent CB's in front of him. If it turns out to be a Tilt/Nsiala combo then that would be fantabulous!
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bugledog123 added 17:38 - Jul 16 Great news!
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jas0999 added 17:56 - Jul 16 Superb news! Now let's build a squad. Keeper situation sorted, the defence needs to be greatly improved. Hopefully less for Bart to do next season!
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