Town have confirmed the return of Napoli midfielder Jens Cajuste on loan for a second season.

The 26-year-old spent a very successful spell with the Blues in 2024/25, becoming a firm fans’ favourite.

Town and the Serie A champions have agreed a loan fee of €1 million (£863,000) for the campaign ahead, as well as a €6.5 million (£5.6 million) permanent deal if the Blues are promoted back to the Premier League. A contract which runs to 2029 is understood to have been provisionally agreed.

“I’m really happy everything has fallen into place and I’m delighted to be back,” Cajuste, who will again wear the number 12 shirt, told the club website.

“I always had the ambition, going into the summer, that I would be excited to come back here and I’m really looking forward to getting started again with my teammates.

“Being at the club last season was one of the best experiences of my professional career, especially in terms of camaraderie and team spirit, as well as working under an incredible manager who I have the highest level of respect for.

“From what I have seen, the Championship is like war and one of the toughest leagues in the world, so that’s a challenge I am really getting started with.”

While the Blues were always keen to re-sign the Sweden international, for much of the summer it appeared his future lay elsewhere and a Town return an unlikely prospect.

Napoli agreed loan terms with Besiktas in Turkey with some reports claiming a medical had been pencilled in and the player set to travel to Istanbul.

However, the former Reims midfielder put that switch on hold while he assessed his options with Premier League Burnley having been very keen, while there were also links with other sides in Serie A and La Liga and Saudi Arabian club Neom made an approach just over a week ago.

The Blues, who even at that point appeared to be out of the running, look to have reinvigorated their interest after Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney turned down a move to Portman Road last weekend with the deal agreed earlier in this week and the finer details nailed down over the last couple of days.

The one-time Midtjylland man made 26 starts and seven sub appearances for the Blues during 2024/25, scoring once, and was beaten to the Supporters Player of the Year award by Liam Delap by only 36 votes.

We understand Cajuste’s registration was in time for him to be available for tomorrow night’s opening game at Birmingham City.

Photo: ITFC

dyersdream added 16:43 - Aug 7 Never in doubt knew he would be back
1

LeeCarl84 added 16:45 - Aug 7 Massive addition to the squad, welcome back Jens!!
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JPR77 added 16:46 - Aug 7 Great news!! He's here because he wants to be here. Buzzing considering the alternative interest in him but he still chose us!
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C_Jam_Blue added 16:46 - Aug 7 ITFC retail quick off the mark. Heard the confirmation from them before EADT or TWTD!
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poet added 16:47 - Aug 7 Excellent, and he could be included in the squad for tomorrow evening.
2

Runner added 16:48 - Aug 7 It seems like we have been waiting so long, great news.
2

BeachBlue added 16:49 - Aug 7 Excellent news. I get peace of mind when this guy is playing..
2

trevski_s added 16:50 - Aug 7 Welcome back Jens, its great to have you back and its great he see's how much of a tough league the Championship will be but I know alongside Matusiwa he will boss the centre of the pitch. Im not expecting him to start tomorrow (depends on how much pre-season he's had) but at least see him coming off the bench to a huge ovation. Bring on tomorrow
2

brazilblue added 16:50 - Aug 7 Unreal signing. Potential to be the best midfielder in this league
4

timkatieadamitfc added 16:53 - Aug 7 Wow, i havent commented on our transfer incomings as i have been largely underwhelmed, this puts a different slant on it, him and Matusiwa could be a a great midfield combo for us. Nowt like leaving it to the last minute eh, great signing and am very relieved now. A striker now would be icing on the cake.
6

Bazza8564 added 16:58 - Aug 7 In Ashton we trust! Welcome back Jens, and @phil, i should charge you for continually quoting the 36 vote margin for the OSC player of the year. :) As people have said above, his fitness and pre-season need careful management as far as tomorrow goes, but i trust KM will know.....
2

jas0999 added 17:02 - Aug 7 Excellent news. Providing he can stay fit, he will be a huge asset for the championship. Quality player.
2

runaround added 17:04 - Aug 7 Welcome home Jens. Shame it’s only a loan(copyright JASO99) One down hopefully one to come today
1

ringwoodblue added 17:05 - Aug 7 That was quick! Welcome Jens.
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runningout added 17:11 - Aug 7 never in doubt :-)
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RegencyBlue added 17:14 - Aug 7 Quality player. Has he had any preseason?
2

Furyan007 added 17:14 - Aug 7 Huge signing and he'll be head and shoulders above most midfielders in the league. Excited to see him and Matusiwa together
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Monkey_Blue added 17:14 - Aug 7 Jack Taylor must be the only one who isn’t celebrating because of fit it’s Azor & Jens in CM. Think he’ll really excel at this level and hopefully add some more goals to his game. Pity we won’t have the Akpom element to tomorrow night game it seems but if David and Philogene are fit they won’t like the look of our line up one bit.
1

Monkey_Blue added 17:14 - Aug 7 Jack Taylor must be the only one who isn’t celebrating because of fit it’s Azor & Jens in CM. Think he’ll really excel at this level and hopefully add some more goals to his game. Pity we won’t have the Akpom element to tomorrow night game it seems but if David and Philogene are fit they won’t like the look of our line up one bit.
0

Monkey_Blue added 17:14 - Aug 7 Jack Taylor must be the only one who isn’t celebrating because of fit it’s Azor & Jens in CM. Think he’ll really excel at this level and hopefully add some more goals to his game. Pity we won’t have the Akpom element to tomorrow night game it seems but if David and Philogene are fit they won’t like the look of our line up one bit.
0

Monkey_Blue added 17:14 - Aug 7 Jack Taylor must be the only one who isn’t celebrating because of fit it’s Azor & Jens in CM. Think he’ll really excel at this level and hopefully add some more goals to his game. Pity we won’t have the Akpom element to tomorrow night game it seems but if David and Philogene are fit they won’t like the look of our line up one bit.
0

_clive_baker_ added 17:21 - Aug 7 You've aged him! He's still 25 for a few more days. Great signing, was superb on his day last season and should be a monster at Championship level. Also played with Matusiwa previously so hopefully they already have a connection.
5

Lukeybluey added 17:25 - Aug 7 After just finishing a 16 hour shift this news has made my day! Welcome back lad! Can't wait to see you doing the biz again in the centre of the park this season!
3

ibisblue added 17:28 - Aug 7 Delighted!!!!
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Broadbent23 added 17:28 - Aug 7 Welcome back Jens. Now we can go for the Championship Title.
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