Ipswich Town's superstar fan Ed Sheeran has backed his beloved Blues to survive in the Premier League - and has made a bold claim about their first game.

The Thinking Out Loud singer has been Town's main shirt sponsor for the past three seasons, supporting the club through two years of League One and a campaign in the Championship.

He will go into his fourth season sponsoring the club in the Premier League next year after Town's stunning promotion.

Sheeran revealed his hopes for the upcoming campaign in an exclusive interview with this newspaper during the opening of the Gingerbread Studios at his old school, Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, on Thursday evening.

Ed Sheeran at a Town game at Portman RoadEd Sheeran at a Town game at Portman Road (Image: PA)

And he made a bold claim about Ipswich's first game of the new season - a clash with the mighty Liverpool at Portman Road.

He said: "I think we're going to go in hard and heavy with the Liverpool game, and get the win, and then we'll get humbled by Manchester City.

"No, honestly, I'd be happy just staying up.

MORE: Ed Sheeran celebrates with Ipswich Town after promotion

"I think Kieran McKenna, Mark Ashton, the players and the staff have done an amazing job of building not just the team, but the community around it, and now it's time to just become a staple in the Premier League rather than it being a one-off season.

Ed supporting Ipswich Town at Portman RoadEd Sheeran supporting Ipswich Town at Portman Road (Image: Steve Waller)

"It's about building a great team, because the following is there. Everyone is really excited about it and it's just about staying up now.

"And we've got super Kieran McKenna, he knows exactly what we need!"

Sheeran has been seen at many Town games over the past few seasons, attending both home and away matches, and has a box at Portman Road.

He added: "I love Ipswich Town because I go there and I feel part of something and I get treated as a football fan, rather than as a music celebrity."