Alex Bruce has pledged his future to Ipswich Town.

The defender has agreed a new two-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2011.

Bruce – former boss Jim Magilton’s first signing – had previously been on a three-year deal that was due to expire in June.

However, he has now committed his future to the club after discussions with Blues boss Roy Keane and chief executive Simon Clegg.

And there is an option for a further year when the new deal comes to an end.

“I had a chat with Alex last week and told him I was keen for him to stay at the football club,” said Keane.

“He made it clear he wanted to stay so it was down to trying to sort out a deal and I’m delighted we’ve achieved that.”

The Republic of Ireland international, who previously turned down a deal in January, has made 112 appearances for Ipswich.

Midfielder Ed Upson is also understood to have agreed a new one-year deal while Shane Supple is in talks regarding a new contract with the Blues.

Keane is in the process of shaping his squad for next season and released seven players on Friday.

They were Tommy Miller, Ivan Campo, Chris Casement, Billy Clarke, Dean Bowditch, Jai Reason and Kurt Robinson.

Meanwhile, the Ipswich boss has been spotted on a scouting trip to Hungary.

He watched the match between Honvéd and Debreceni in Budapest and is thought to have been casting his eye over striker Gergely Rudolf.

The 24-year-old may have been identified by scouts Simon Hunt and Steve McCall, who are believed to have spent part of last season looking at potential summer targets in eastern Europe.

According to tabloid reports, Everton are considering a summer move for Town striker Jon Walters.

The Blues themselves are being mentioned in connection with Dean Whitehead and David Healy – two of Keane’s former players at Sunderland. Keane signed Healy from Fulham last summer for £1.2 million, while Whitehead, who was already at the Stadium of Light when the current Blues manager took over in 2006.