Ben Johnson signs for Ipswich Town | West Ham defender rejects new deal at Hammers

Geo & Gonzo discuss Ben Johnson quitting West Ham United and joining Ipswich Town, who were promoted to the Premier League last season. The Academy graduate rejected various contracts from the Hammers and will join The Tractor Boys on a free transfer

Ben Johnson has agreed a £60,000 per-week contract with Ipswich Town to leave West Ham United when his contract expires

The versatile defender has agreed a four-year deal at Portman Road and will leave the Hammers when his deal expires next week.

West Ham offered him a new five-year deal but he has turned down the chance to stay at his boyhood club in pursuit of more regular football elsewhere.

It’s been an ongoing transfer saga for several years now, but it’s finally coming to an end with Johnson heading to the newly promoted Tractor Boys.

Lopetegui had been keen to keep hold of the former England youth international with his ability to play across the defence and even in midfield, but the player made his mind up a long time ago.

A large part of the reason why he opted to leave was regular football, but he also valued himself at much higher than the club’s board did and the wages were never close to being agreed. £60,000 per-week puts him among Ipswich’s top earners and that makes sense considering his experience and standing in their squad, but at West Ham it just wouldn’t have made much sense to do.

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[clemcc]

As a Town fan, we will look after him

[derekhammond]

It is a shame about Ben Johnson. He has been treated poorly. I wish him all the best for his move to Ipswich and for the rest of his career.⚒

[JoseMartinez-qczh]

I hope Johnson goes on to have great success at Ipswich and the rest of his career .

[artel]

Gross mistreatment & mismanagement of home grown talent

[InfamyJunkie]

I appreciate his time playing for West Ham even if he didn’t play a greater role for the club and proved himself enough to the managers/coaches he’s played for. I hope he stays healthy and does well for Ipswich Town. Wish him the best.

[countrycockney]

TBH, this one saddens me more than Benni or Fornals, mainly cos it highlights the sheer incompetence of our board even more, and their lack of appreciation for things that are important and meaningful to the fans. Not to mention their complete inability. once again, to see the big picture. Ben is home grown, West Ham through and through, a complete utility player, and one that I believe could have been an absolute asset if given regular games in the right position. He was one of the only bright sparks when our season went turgid and gave the club more than enough opportunity to do right by him. Seemed like a lovely kid too that was very highly thought of by the rest of the squad. There's absolutely no way we can guarantee his replacement will not cost more money than he would've, or will fit in and deliver like he did. Madness! I live in Ipswich so have been keeping a close eye on the team, Manager etc. Although I'm gutted to lose Johnno, I'm glad that he's going to Ipswich. They have a Manager, a team, and a playing style that will really suit him and hopefully get the best out of him. The fans will love him too. Whether they get to play that style in the Prem we'll have to wait and see but I think this was probably the best move he could've made, and I wish him all the very best.

[michaeldeckker]

Hope he goes and proves the club wrong and has an awesome career . Seems like a quality person who gave his all every time he played irrespective of how he was treated . We can’t afford to lose players with good character

[ianlench]

Letting Ben or any academy player, go for a free, doesn't help our FFP, with the transfer figures. Great video lads

[richardjbarlow]

Good luck to him. I expect the regular first team football is what he needs.

[MarkChippers]

The irony now is Sullivan has to do something he hates doing - spending money on a fullback.

Good luck to Johnson. He’s been a great servant and pro for the club.

[TonyHammer]

I don't believe that money is the main reason. I just think the kid wants to play every week. He clearly felt undervalued by West Ham. However, he is a Premier League player and a Europa League Conference winner who was still on U21 wages and was offered little more. Shame on you Sullivan

[mschwabe]

He didn't quit. He fulfilled his contract.

[lewis]

Fairplay to him. The damage had already been done. Wish him the best of luck

[daniellanger]

Going to miss him. Great young player who will just keep improving 😢

[dmenace]

Just watched your vid after reading the mostly excellent comments, boyyy...BJ would be Proud👏👏👏Spot on boys⚒️HC⚒️

[wonderfullife]

Big shame. Last of the academy players. Looked great as a 19/20 year old breaking into the team and should have become an established PL player. Looked alright last season too. Feel like West Ham let him down and Im surprised so few West Ham supporters and staff rate him.

[PeterChelmsford]

If you have someone who gets played in 4 or 5 different positions and is not given a run of games you will leave. Good luck to him and hope he does well.

[stuartmiller]

I can't help but see similarities between the Johnson and Diangana situations.
Neither player wanted to leave, both were ultimately pawns in a long game

[siebdykstra]

I think he's come to the right club. I'm an ITFC fan and can tell you that boy will be well looked after by the club, from the owner, CEO and manager to all the players he plays with. They have made all the players feel part of a family and the results over the past two years have shown that. We may not have the best players the prem, hell we didn't have the best players in the championship. But we had the best togetherness, and everyone from top to bottom fights for each other. If KMc sees that in him, which you guys obviously do, he'll do very well at Portman Road. So thank you WHU for buggering up a simple contract offer to a player who clearly deserved better.

[TeamRockHit]

I'm an Ipswich fan. It's always somewhat satisfying to read references that someone is missed. However, your loss is our gain. Keiron McKenna has proven to be outstanding with developing talent, for him the perfect player is one who hasn't played to their potential rather than on already at their peak. Transforming a mid-table League One team to one winning automatic promotion (notably without parachute funds) in 2.5 seasons is an exceptional achievement. Now it's clear just 2-3 signings in summer is insufficient, it seems 7 + goalkeepers are being lined up. Anyway, good luck and may I wish you well for the other 36 games next season ;)