Birmingham City are keenly monitoring star situation with Ipswich Town

admin | April 24, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Birmingham City goalkeeper John Ruddy is out of contact in the summer and the club will need to sign a new number one to replace him.

After two seasons with Birmingham City, goalkeeper John Ruddy’s contract expires this summer. They could be seeking for a new goalkeeper in the summer, and Ipswich Town backup Christian Walton could be an excellent choice.

Ruddy signed with Birmingham in July 2022 after being released from Premier League team Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he had spent the previous five seasons.

He arrived at St Andrew’s Stadium on a one-year contract at the age of 35, having plenty of experience. The goalkeeper has over 100 Premier League appearances and over 250 in the Football League for Norwich City, Crewe Alexandra, Bristol City, Stockport County, and Cambridge United.

Ruddy joined to replace departing Montenegrin goalkeeper Matija Sarkic and provide an upgrade over Philippines international Neil Etheridge. In his first season, the Saint Ives native quickly rose to the Blues’ top spot, and he signed a contract extension just four months later that would keep him in the West Midlands until the end of the season.

The 37-year-old has not yet been offered a new contract, and the team will have to look for a new goalkeeper for next season.

Ipswich back-up Christian Walton is a good fit

Walton of Ipswich appears to be an ideal candidate to replace Ruddy at Birmingham. The former England U21 international came through the youth systems of Plymouth Argyle and Brighton & Hove Albion, where he made his first-team debut against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup at the age of 18.

After multiple loan moves to EFL clubs such as Luton Town, Plymouth, Wigan Athletic, and Blackburn Rovers, Walton signed a permanent contract with Ipswich in January 2022, following an impressive loan spell with the club.

Walton was Ipswich’s first-choice goalkeeper in League One last season, helping the club win promotion to the Championship by finishing second and conceding a division-low 35 goals.

According to Sofascore statistics, the 6’5″ goalie was the eighth highest-rated keeper in the league that season, with a 6.88 rating, down from sixth place the previous season (6.93 rating).

After Walton sustained an injury in the summer, Czech goalkeeper Václav Hladký was promoted to the first team. The 33-year-old took advantage of the opportunity with many good displays for the Tractor Boys, and he is now Kieran McKenna’s first option.

Walton’s contract expires at the end of the season, although his team does have the option to extend it for another year. With Ipswich’s promotion aspirations and Hladký’s outstanding form, it appears Walton’s time in Suffolk may be coming to an end.

Birmingham can’t rely on backup options

Birmingham cannot afford not to replace Ruddy before the 2024/25 season begins. Their only other goalkeeping options are the out-of-favour and elderly Neil Etheridge and the untested 19-year-old Bradley Mayo.

After two seasons as Birmingham’s number one, veteran goalkeeper Ruddy may be ready to move on in the summer when his contract expires.

Walton is a good candidate for Ruddy’s position, having already demonstrated his ability at the Championship level. The Ipswich goalkeeper could also be available for free, and after falling down the pecking order in Suffolk, a transfer to the Midlands could rekindle his career.