Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Town Confirm Akpom Loan Signing
Sunday, 10th Aug 2025 21:03

Town have confirmed the signing of Ajax striker Chuba Akpom on a season-long loan.

The news ends a week-long saga after the Blues nipped in to gazump Birmingham City, who were close to taking the 29-year-old on loan last Monday with a medical having been set for that afternoon.

Once Town had agreed a deal with the Dutch giants - reportedly paying 60 per cent of his wages with Birmingham having offered to cover only half - Akpom preferred the move to Suffolk and travelled for a medical that evening.

The Midlanders subsequently made another bid to try to sign him permanently but with the player digging his heels on joining the Blues with the details on the switch having been tied up over the last few days.

In addition to the season-long loan, the deal is understood to include an obligation to sign on a permanent basis next summer if Town win promotion for £7 million.

“I was really excited when I heard of the interest and I’m delighted to have joined a club with such big ambitions,” Akpom, who could make his Blues debut in the Carabao Cup at Bromley on Tuesday, told TownTV.

“I watch a lot of football and have always thought Ipswich would suit my style, so this move makes perfect sense.


“I have had lots of good experiences over the last few years, at Ajax and playing in the Champions League with Lille, and I feel like all of these have improved me as a player and helped me be the person I am now.

“I’m here to do as much as I can do to help the team, in the changing room and on the pitch, and I’ll bring a winning mentality here.”

Ajax technical director Alex Kroes said: “Chuba is a top professional and a hard worker. The temporary move to Ipswich Town FC offers him a great opportunity to show his qualities weekly.

“We hope that he can play an important role with his goals in their pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

“We wish Chuba every success and fun in England – we continue to follow him with interest.”

As well as the Blues and Birmingham, Akpom’s former club Middlesbrough and Greek side Olympiacos also showed interest.

Newham-born Akpom came through the Gunners’ academy ranks and had spells on loan at Brentford, Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Brighton and in Belgium with Sint-Truiden while a player at the Emirates.

Having made one senior start and 11 sub appearances, the 6ft tall frontman, who plays as a number 10 as well as an out-and-out striker, moved on to PAOK Salonika in Greece for £900,000 in August 2018.

After two years, he joined Boro for £2.75 million, netting 28 goals as he top scored in the Championship in 2022/23, before returning to PAOK on loan for 2021/22, then joining Ajax for an initial €12.3 million (£10.7 million), rising to €14.3 million (£12.4 million) with add-ons.

He spent the second half of last season on loan in Ligue 1 in France with Lille, who chose not to take up an option to sign him permanently at the end of his spell.

An England cap at U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21 levels, Akpom has scored 21 goals in 39 starts and 40 sub appearances for Ajax in all competitions and bagged three in six starts and nine games from the bench during his short spell with Lille.

For the Teessiders, he netted 34 goals in 59 starts and 23 games from the bench.


Photo: ITFC



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



Bluearmy_81 added 21:04 - Aug 10
Get in!!
11

WalkRules added 21:05 - Aug 10
Brilliant news. That's brightened my Sunday evening!
14

EuanTown added 21:06 - Aug 10
Welcome, finally
9

ImAbeliever added 21:07 - Aug 10
Good
4

ImAbeliever added 21:07 - Aug 10
Good
1

ArnieM added 21:08 - Aug 10
BACK O THE NET ...... Many times hopefully!!!! WOOOAAAAHH ....
7

ajs83 added 21:08 - Aug 10
TFFT
0

GTRKing added 21:08 - Aug 10
Fantastic news!

Great player!

Miles better than Ali & George Hirst

But happy days all 3 will help us win the league title we can do it up the town
-8

bluerico added 21:08 - Aug 10
At last. Was beginning to think it would not happen. Welcome to ITFC Chuba.
11

flykickingbybgunn added 21:10 - Aug 10
Yea.
Over the line at last.
Welcome Chuba.
8

WoodfordTim added 21:11 - Aug 10
Brilliant business by Town - what a signing!!
8

DavoIPB added 21:12 - Aug 10
Goal to game ratio is top notch. Think we might have just signed somebody to replace George hirst not a back up.
2

Broadbent23 added 21:16 - Aug 10
At last another striker. Well done MA for getting AC across the line. Now KMc has a squad bar the injuries to go forward with.
4

bluerico added 21:17 - Aug 10
Sorrry GTR accidentally marked you down.
0

MVBlue added 21:18 - Aug 10
LLLLEETTTTS GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Now make the move permanent Chuba

WE LOVE THE DUTCH AT IPSWICH
6

dangerous30 added 21:18 - Aug 10
Yes really looking forward to watching him
0

Tractorboy58 added 21:19 - Aug 10
Just a left back needed now
-1

SickParrot added 21:21 - Aug 10
I wonder why it took so long. Probably for the best that he wasn't involved at St Andrew's though. A Birmingham player or fan might have assaulted him too!
5

leroy2488 added 21:21 - Aug 10
Get in!!
Looks like a striker with a great first touch.
2

MickMillsTash added 21:22 - Aug 10
Thats Brilliant
I think he can play with Hurst - Akpom as a number 10 going to feet, Hirst over the top? I don't think Szomdics is a number 10- Chaplin, Broady and Hutchinson can be but 2 of them may not be here in September.
McKenna will work all that out anyway.
3

BlueWax added 21:24 - Aug 10
Welcome to Town Chuba, I'm hoping you and GH stay injury free and battle it out to be the too striker!
I don't want to just assume GH will play second fiddle like last year. He battled his socks off the other night and I would love him to get 20 goals this season.
7

blues1 added 21:28 - Aug 10
Tractorboy58. We dont actually need a left back. Young can play there, greaves can play there, kipre I believe also. Plus we have Boniface, who could come in in an emergency. Having said that, wouldn't be totally surprised if we did get another 1 in.
4

BlueWax added 21:34 - Aug 10
Top!
0

Mark added 21:37 - Aug 10
We waited a long time for this news, and it is brilliant that it is confirmed. We are going to score a lot of goals this season! Welcome, Chuba.
4

tetchris added 21:39 - Aug 10
Choo choo Chuba! Finally a striker who can get you 20 goals a season.

Just need to sort the lightweight midfield out now!

Broadhead, Hutchinson, Muric, and possibly Davis to leave would give town plenty of cash to spend in the transfer market to bring in some quality reinforcements!
-4


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls





About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Online Safety Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2025