'I still want to learn and improve' - Johnson on Ipswich move

Ben Johnson has said the chance to develop and improve under Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna was a major factor in him moving to Portman Road earlier this summer.

The 24-year-old defender left West Ham at the end of his contract and made his debut for the Tractor Boys as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool.

Johnson said: "When I knew there was interest from Ipswich and the manager, he sold it to me when he said he was going to develop me, coach me and I was going to improve. That was definitely the key factor to why I made the switch.

"I'm at a stage of my career where I want to make that next step and be a more established Premier League player, but also to learn. I've not come this far to just filter out and be mediocre, I still want to learn and improve in the position I play."

Johnson's summer transfer ended a long association with West Ham and he said he will always have "fond memories" of his time with the London club.

"It was a huge decision [to leave], but it was nice and it was mutual really," he said.

"There's no bad blood between myself and West Ham, I always want them to do well and hopefully they want me to do well and establish my career here.

"I had a great period of time there; growing up from a boy to a man, giving me the opportunity to play in the Premier League and setting me up for my career. I look back with fond memories and wish them all the best."