Town have confirmed the permanent signing of last season’s star loanee Omari Hutchinson on a five-year deal from Chelsea for a new club record fee.

The officially undisclosed fee is believed to be an initial £18-£20 million plus another £2.5 million in top-ups with the deal including a sell-on of 25 per cent.

There is no buyback clause but it's understood Chelsea have inserted matching rights into the deal, although with the decision ultimately up to the player. The forward’s previous club Arsenal will receive a sell-on of 15-20 per cent of the fee.

Chelsea are understood to have been keen to get the move over the line before the end of the month, having been widely reported to need to make player sales in order to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

The fee smashes Town’s previous record, the £4.8 million paid to Sampdoria for Matteo Sereni in the summer of 2001.

“We’re so pleased to bring Omari back on a permanent basis,” Town manager Kieran McKenna told the club website.

“Omari is someone we all enjoyed working with last season and the staff, his teammates and supporters all saw how he grew and developed over the course of the year, which is testament to the hard work he put in.

“The impact he had on the team throughout the season, especially in the latter part, was evidence of that and he, like so many of his teammates, played a significant part in that success for the club.

“We think Omari is a fantastic player and person to have at the club for the long-term future. He has a hunger to improve and show that he can compete and thrive in the Premier League.”

Jamaica international Hutchinson, who will be reunited with his teammates at the start of pre-season training on Monday, made a huge impression on loan as Town won promotion to the Premier League last season, winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award after netting 11 times and picking up six assists in his first senior season.

Boss McKenna made no secret of his desire to bring Hutchinson back to Portman Road, joking that he’d like him to be CEO Mark Ashton’s birthday present to him at the End-of-Season Dinner in May.

Supporters will be equally delighted with Hutchinson having become a big fans’ favourite during his loan spell.

Town are also close to announcing the addition of former West Ham right-back Ben Johnson on a free transfer, the right-back’s Hammers exit having been confirmed this morning.

The 24-year-old is understood to have agreed a four-year deal at Portman Road with his move looking likely to be confirmed on Monday.

Photo: Matchday Images

OleTheKitMan added 22:22 - Jun 30 YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
3

wkj added 22:22 - Jun 30 COYB - MEGA SIGNING!
3

Swailsey added 22:27 - Jun 30 Unreal!!!
1

Mark added 22:30 - Jun 30 Wonderful news. Welcome back, Omari!
4

BurleysGloryDays added 22:30 - Jun 30 Glorious!! StarBoy is OurBoy! Welcome home Omari
1

BurleysGloryDays added 22:31 - Jun 30 Is that a little hint at the new kit on his Instagram profile btw?
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superblues9 added 22:34 - Jun 30 Asesome!!
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Gforce added 22:35 - Jun 30 Fantastic news, welcome back Omari. I know Chelsea need to sell to meet PSR,but I'm still a little surprised they chose to move him on.I watched a quite a lot of Chelsea last season and I believe Omari is just as good as the likes of Madueke,Chukwuemeka,Ugochukwu and even Mudryk,who cost around 80 million.Is Mudryk really worth 60 million more than Omari,not a chance. I believe Omari will prove to be a terrific signing for many seasons to come,and one I think Chelsea will regret letting go.

5

Ipswich1977 added 22:39 - Jun 30 Wow....!❤️
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CaptainAhab added 22:41 - Jun 30 Get in!!!
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OldClactonBlue added 22:41 - Jun 30 Fantastic news. Great signing. Welcome home Omari.
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itfcskayman added 22:45 - Jun 30 BurleysGloryDays I think you’re spot on. Can see Portman Road in the background. Kit announcement surely on its way. Those Premier League badges are going to look so sweet on an Ipswich shirt again
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victorysquad added 22:47 - Jun 30 Great news that Omari is continuing his development here, great lad with a lovely family behind him. We are all behind him 100% and know it will be more learning this season.
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SohoBlue added 23:10 - Jun 30 An electric start to the window. We have lift off! Welcome back Omari. Just keep doing what you do! Great work to get this deal done, ITFC.
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Mariner1974 added 23:12 - Jun 30 Gonna be strange to turn up in August at Portman, and know Omari really is one of us! So happy the lad is here to stay. More good business on the way I'm sure.
2

Andjamwar added 23:43 - Jun 30 Any signing after this is a bonus
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RobsonWark added 23:52 - Jun 30 Welcome home Omari!!
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Bluesince92 added 23:57 - Jun 30 We should try and get Smith Rowe on loan from arsenal as well and also try and bring back Mings and go for that young lad a Man Utd - Hanibal....or maybe Skipp from spurs and for free I'd even take a punt with McBurnie.
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1689Baptist added 01:27 - Jul 1 My hope that we will survive has just become significantly more probable.
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flykickingbybgunn added 02:32 - Jul 1 Made my day.
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carlisleaway added 02:41 - Jul 1 Now that is a statement
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LegendofthePhoenix added 06:22 - Jul 1 “We think Omari is a fantastic player and person". So do we Kieran, so do we. Our #1 target. Welcome home Clutch.
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Broadbent23 added 07:32 - Jul 1 Fantastic news. I will just do a sumasualt in the back garden to celebrate.
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Flight_of_Shefki added 07:57 - Jul 1 Superb. I wasn't sure how likely this would have been, but chuffed that it finally has. Welcome back, Omari.
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jayceee added 07:59 - Jul 1 Absolutely fantastic - perhaps my favourite signing in nearly 50 years of supporting town. Am I being greedy in hoping we can get Sarmiento too? Or just unrealistic?
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