Town Confirm Hutchinson Signing
Sunday, 30th Jun 2024 22:20

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

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Gandj64 added 08:25 - Jul 1 I saw Omari on the morning of the bus parade…I was outside the perimeter fence and shouted and pleaded with him to stay ….he smiled and shrugged his shoulders and said “I don’t know - my agent has got it “ Shame he’s not English - he could do batter job than Saka at the moment
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Dissboyitfc added 08:28 - Jul 1 what does matching rights mean? and does the sell on mean a percentage of profits or percentage of selling fee?
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The_Prof added 08:32 - Jul 1 I'm impressed that this apparently went to late evening on Sunday 30th before being announced, which presumably implies a bit of brinkmanship going on with negotiations? This has the hallmark of Mark Ashton all over it; I think Chelsea might have had their proverbial trousers lowered on this one? Our club is in exceptional hands.
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JewellintheTown added 09:00 - Jul 1 Well, with this its a 1 - 0 win to Ipswich Vs Chelsea. Our first of many successes against them, hopefully.
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Karlosfandangal added 09:08 - Jul 1 Excellent news ….. wonder how long he will hold the title as Towns record signing
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JewellintheTown added 09:21 - Jul 1

Several sources reporting its believed to be £18M rather than £20M, plus top ups, so even better business if the lower figure.
Shows how good a bargain we got paying £650K for the likes of Chaplin and Burns. Even Leif at £1M was a bargain. All have grown as have most of the team as players and in value under KM & MA. When Hutch finally moves on, imagine how much his value will have grown too.