Town forward Chuba Akpom believes he has returned to England a better player following two years at Ajax and Lille.

After scoring 28 goals for Middlesbrough, which earned him the Championship’s Golden Boot award, Akpom joined Dutch giants Ajax in 2023 before spending the second half of last season on loan at French side Lille.

Having now returned to England’s second tier on loan with the Blues, with Town having an obligation to sign him permanently for £7 million next summer if they win promotion, the 29-year-old is aiming to bring the experiences of playing abroad into a successful Championship campaign this term.

“They’ve definitely shaped me,” he said. “It’s a big responsibility going abroad and having to adapt to different cultures and different ways of playing. It’s added to my experience and hopefully I can bring everything that I’ve learned to Ipswich.

“We had the worst start in Ajax history or something like that. It is a shame because I feel like in my time there I did do quite well, even though I got limited playing time and I was always played out of position on the right or left and mainly from the bench.

“It was still a great experience for me to play for such a historic club. It’s something that I wouldn’t want to go back and change a thing. I do hope that Ajax get back to where they deserve to be, and that’s winning championships and stuff like that.

“Historically, an unbelievable club, so successful and you feel that when you’re there — sold-out stadiums every single home game, going into town you’re constantly getting noticed and stuff like that. I really enjoyed it.

"The club isn’t where it should be at the moment, it should be winning leagues and doing well in Europe, but I’m sure they’ll get back to that.”

Only in March was Akpom playing in the knockout stages of the Champions League with Lille, with whom he scored three goals despite only starting six games in all competitions.

“That was good,” he reflected. “Playing in the Champions League is the pinnacle of club football, isn’t it? I’m definitely grateful for that experience, and I just want to bring all that experience that I have here.

“Not just me, but there’s so many other players here that have played in the Premier League and played in European leagues. If we can bring that all into one, we should do really well this season.

“I do feel like I’m a better player. I feel like that season at Middlesbrough I unlocked something in me. Now I know what I’m capable of and now I know the best way to get the best out of myself.

"My experience at Ajax and Lille has definitely made me a better player. It’s just about getting 100 per cent match fit, getting a rhythm and I’m looking forward to that.”

Prior to his explosive form at Middlesbrough, Akpom had numerous spells in the EFL on loan from Arsenal, while also playing club football in Belgium and Greece.

Especially during his younger days, the Londoner credits his family with playing a fundamental role in his career to date.

He said: “Without my family, I wouldn’t be here now. They sacrificed so much time taking me to training, taking me to different tournaments, helping me and supporting me chase my dream. I’m definitely grateful for that.

“Now I have two kids and a fiancé, so there’s even more responsibility for me and I use that as motivation.

“Family ultimately is the most important thing. The better I do on the pitch, the better their life is off the pitch as well. Family definitely plays a big part in my life and is the most important thing to me.”

Akpom has previously represented England at U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21 levels, but in 2019 expressed a desire to declare for Nigeria at senior level, for whom he qualifies through having Nigerian parents.

Six years on, Akpom is still yet to play for the Super Eagles but says senior international football is still something he is keen on achieving.

“They’ve made me do the passport stuff,” he said. “My agent has been in contact with the manager [Éric Chelle] and they’ve always liked me. If I was to get called up, it would be an honour of course.”

Photo: TWTD

Edmundo added 10:54 - Sep 16 The second Town Super Eagle after that spring chicken, Finidi, hopefully!
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Bazza8564 added 11:25 - Sep 16 Gradually getting to grips with life at Ipswich Town and a key part of our season ahead. Im liking what i'm seeing but it's very early days and we must give the guy 6-8 games. We have a habit of writing players off on this site and we need to all grow up a bit. Philogene and Clarke have been slaughtered here, and now are shining. Let's make sure we look after this guy positively. Looking at the bigger picture, Our attacking options are getting better and better. Ivan, Sindre, Jack Clarke and Szmodics is a formidable "bench front four" . Personally I can't wait for Saturday, it's been a while since i felt like that .....

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Linkboy13 added 11:54 - Sep 16 Must be given a run in the side to build on a promising partnership with Hirst . Can see why he scored loads of goals for Middlesborough his movement and mobility around the box is good and unlike other number tens we have had has good physicality.
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fifeblue added 12:45 - Sep 16 OK, so now go and prove it. Now is your chance. You are with a top club.
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algarvefan added 13:50 - Sep 16 Bazza8564, Clarke is shining, when did I miss that? Don't get me wrong I hope him and Philogene excel at our club. One game doesn't make a summer, let's wait and see who develops the best out of our front players? You are right about giving then time though.
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TimmyH added 13:51 - Sep 16 Didn't see a lot from him on Friday night...only 1 game and as other have said needs a run of minutes before evaluation.
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TimmyH added 16:04 - Sep 16 You want to watch games blues1 rather than being keen to vote posters down or trying to correct them...
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DifferentGravy added 17:13 - Sep 16 Spent a lot of time on the ground the first half. Felt he was easily bullied off the ball and lost it a number of times in our own half. Which was quite surprising because hes not a small lad. Hopefully, as he adapts to the championship, he will settle in and his strength and balance will improve.
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armchaircritic59 added 17:57 - Sep 16 Bazza8564, it's a trait of quite a few ( not all ) football supporters at most clubs, that they expect everything, and they expect it yesterday. For them, if as a player you have one substandard game, that's what you get judged on. I'm not accusing everyone of course, some ( including me I hope ! ), take a more balanced, patient view. I've already posted in here 2/3 times, that I'm not passing any " early " season assessments in here until 10 league games have been played, so I'll wait and see how things pan out over the next 5 matches. In the meantime I look forward to seeing an ever growing understanding between the players, several of which are new, and those that aren't still have to get used to the playing styles and requirements of the new guys. Time as ever will be the decider!

2

BobbyPetta11 added 21:10 - Sep 16 I saw enough Friday to suggest he’s only going to get better and better. Big strong, quick, skilful and clever. Let’s be honest he was playing in the CL last year. Fantastic signing
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Ebantiass added 06:01 - Sep 17 I thought he looked sharp and gave us the muscle we need upfront. He seemed to put himself about a lot more than id seen of late from the very lightweight chappers or even Sammy no disrespect to either palyer. The subs also came on and showed some urgency and desire.
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Carberry added 08:46 - Sep 17 We are 5 games into the League season and he isn't 100% match fit, that either bodes well for his future performances or is another illustration of us buying unfit players.
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Bazza8564 added 10:10 - Sep 17 Algarvefan. Well I thought the two appearances off the bench for Clarke against Derby and United were way better than the nervous reluctant ones that came before, largely, I suspect, of the groans and apprehension from fans that were evident before. It was beginning to feel like Muric syndrome all over again. But 20 minutes against Derby, the way he grabbed that penalty and dispatched it confidently spoke to me of a guy who is beginning to shake the monkey off his back. Clearly you would prefer to doubt rather than support him then..... My glass will remain half full

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Bert added 10:41 - Sep 17 Akpom had two players on him the whole time on Saturday and that is because he is a threat. Once unshackled he will, in my opinion, do the business for us. Off topic but I loved the way Nunez came on and bossed the midfield.
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Linkboy13 added 12:09 - Sep 17 yes Bert the performance of Nunez is bad news for Cajuste who i thought looked a bit off on Friday .
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TomCruise added 14:47 - Sep 17 I like this guy. I thought he was quality against Sheff U and linked up with Hirst very well. Especially for, what was it Philogene's second? Some really nice link up play. He is big and strong and aggressive and gives us something different to what we have had.
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DifferentGravy added 15:38 - Sep 17 Bert - Not sure I agree with the two players marking Akpom. Do agree with your comment regarding Nunez, looked very assured and created lots of space. Does make me chuckle when I get marked down for stating fact though. Watch the match back and, in the first half, see how many times Akpom fell to the ground, lost the ball in our own half. That was simply an observation from one game and not a prediction of how he will continue to play. You would expect he will gain in fitness and strength (quick, mark him down for giving a factual, balanced view rather than immediate praise)

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AJB17 added 16:43 - Sep 17 Will soon be banging in the goals and have the SBR and Blue Action chanting... Akpom! Akpom! Chu-ba Akpom! When he scores for Ipswich, The Blue Army sing his song! (Sex bomb, Tom Jones/Mousse T)
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armchaircritic59 added 18:07 - Sep 17 AJB17, that's a good one! Some have accused him of spending a fair bit of time on the " Green Green Grass Of Home " friday night, maybe a bit unfairly. I expect most born after the 1960's won't have a clue to what I've just referenced!
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Kickingblock added 18:36 - Sep 17 Armchair..... It's not unusual!
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armchaircritic59 added 18:43 - Sep 17 kickingblock, haha, indeed. Just wait till they try and make one for Sindre Walle Egeli!
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