Ipswich Town have announced the signing of defender Ben Johnson.
Welcome, Ben Johnson! ✊ pic.twitter.com/X4yvYoN59E
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) July 1, 2024
The 24-year-old, who left West Ham United on the expiry of his contract, has signed a four-year deal with the Tractor Boys.
“Ben is a player who fits the profile we like to bring to the Club,” Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna told the club’s official website.
“He is a young and talented defender with good technical quality, as well as excellent physical attributes.
“Ben also has a good amount of Premier League experience for his age and he is hungry to take the next step in his career."
A West Ham Academy graduate, Johnson had been at the club from the age of seven. He made his first-team debut in February 2019 against Manchester City and went on to make 69 appearances in the Premier League, scoring twice.
Johnson won the club's Young Player of the Season award in 2021 and 2022 and also lifted the UEFA Conference League with West Ham in the 2022/23 season, their first major trophy since 1980, and first European trophy since 1965.
An England youth international, Johnson was part of the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship-winning side.
Johnson is a versatile defender who mainly plays as a right-back, but has also featured at left-back and centre-half.
He becomes the second arrival of the summer for Ipswich under McKenna, following the signing of Omari Hutchinson on Sunday.
Following successive promotions from League One, the Tractor Boys return to the Premier League after a 22-year absence.
2024/25 preparations
Ipswich play their first pre-season match ahead of 2024/25 on 27 July against Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Their opening match of the new Premier League campaign is at home to Liverpool on 17 August.
