Town close in on Johnson as Hladky contract expires

Ben Johnson will be unveiled as an Ipswich Town player today.

The versatile right-back, who turned down a new long-term contract at West Ham to become a free agent, has agreed terms and passed a medical with the Blues.

The 24-year-old will become the second summer signing since promotion to the Premier League was secured following last night's announcement that former loan star Omari Hutchinson had returned to the club from Chelsea in a £18m deal.

Johnson, 24, has made 38 starts and 31 sub appearances in the Premier League for the Hammers over the last six years, also featuring heavily in the Europa League and Europa Conference League.

Meanwhile, last season's first-choice goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky is set to depart the club after his contract formally expired today.

The Czech stopper, who was a key man as Town secured Championship promotion, has been in negotiations with the club about a new contract since January.

Town's players returned for the start of pre-season training this morning, with only one friendly match - at home to Fortuna Dusseldorf on July 27 - having so far been announced ahead of the big kick-off against Liverpool, at Portman Road, on August 17.