Town Confirm Enciso's Return
Monday, 17th Aug 2026 15:04

Town have confirmed the signing of former loanee Julio Enciso on a permanent basis from Strasbourg.

The 22-year-old forward, who was on loan with the Blues in the second half of 2024/25, has penned a five-year deal with the clubs understood to have agreed a fee including potential add-ons of €30.5 million (£26.1 million) with the Ligue 1 side also having a sell-on percentage.

“I am so happy to be back at Ipswich Town,” Enciso said. “I really enjoyed my time on loan at the club and I was so happy to see them win promotion back to the Premier League last season.

“I worked with the manager in France last season and the chance to play for him again at a great club like Ipswich is one I’m very excited for. I can’t wait to see the supporters again.”

Manager Gary O’Neil, who was in charge at Strasbourg in the second half of last season, added: “We are delighted to bring Julio to the club on a permanent deal.

“Supporters will already know what he is capable of, following his loan spell the last time we were in the Premier League, and for me I’m delighted to be working with him again after our time together at Strasbourg last season.

“He is a young player who is capable of creating something out of nothing and has shown that throughout his career, including at the World Cup in the summer.

“We are delighted to have him with us and can’t wait to see him on the pitch.”

Talks between the Blues and the Ligue 1 club had been ongoing for more than a fortnight with the player understood to have been very keen on a return to Town following his loan spell.

The Paraguay international made 12 starts and one sub appearance, scoring twice, during his previous spell at Portman Road.

At the time, he was with Brighton but moved to Strasbourg on a four-year deal for around £10 million last summer, O’Neil taking charge of the Ligue 1 side from January until the end of last season. The Seagulls are understood to be due a significant percentage of Strasbourg’s profit.

Enciso, who scored 12 times in 42 games for Strasbourg during 2026/27, had joined Brighton from Club Libertad in his home country for £9 million in 2022.

Capped 37 times by Paraguay, scoring five goals, Enciso appeared for his country at this summer’s World Cup finals.

The signing takes the Blues’ incoming summer business to around the £150 million mark.

Photo: ITFC

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CrockerITFC added 15:04 - Aug 17 I LOVE BUSINESS!!!!!
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dyersdream added 15:05 - Aug 17 unreal
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Sefton_Blue added 15:07 - Aug 17 Scored the last ever Premier League goal in the Gwladys Street end at Goodison Park. Welcome back Julio!
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ashp19 added 15:08 - Aug 17 Great recruitment window this! Well done all.
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Steelmonkey added 15:09 - Aug 17 Welcome back to Portman Road Julio.
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Barty added 15:10 - Aug 17 Brilliant. Welcome back Julio.
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wilhirecup added 15:11 - Aug 17 good news this
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wischip added 15:12 - Aug 17 Now we're cooking.
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TomCruise added 15:12 - Aug 17 Pure throbbun' un my nether reigons
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Paulc added 15:14 - Aug 17 So encouraging to see us sign a player of this calibre and the fact that a) he wants to come bsck here and b) he wants to work with GON again. My expectations for the season ahead are growing, trying my hardest to stay grounded.
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Ryorry added 15:14 - Aug 17 Muy, muy, bueno!
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Bazza8564 added 15:14 - Aug 17 £150m plus add ons, thats brilliant. Nor let's get Palacios and a 9 through the door and the squad will be sitting pretty!
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dugoutdave added 15:14 - Aug 17 kin brilliant
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DeliasMashedPotato added 15:15 - Aug 17 Anyone else remember when we signed Stephen and Noel Hunt? No, me either. Welcome Julio - cant wait to see you tear it up at PR!!
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bluelad7 added 15:15 - Aug 17 Pleased with this bit of business. Talented young lad. By the way he scored 12 goals for Strasbourg for the 2026/27 season!???
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Furyan007 added 15:19 - Aug 17 This feels like a great signing. He's the right age and yet very experienced. And we'll need players like him to help transition forward at pace when we win the ball back.
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Broadbent23 added 15:23 - Aug 17 Welcome back Julio. This is the signing I wanted following his World Cup performance and with the GON connection. He will be a vital part to our forward line. Just need a prolific goal scorer then we are cooking.
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Gforce added 15:25 - Aug 17 Excellent signing, he will provide much needed flair to our front line. Its all coming together nicely, just need a lb,lcb and a 8 & 9 ,then we'll be looking good. On another note ,its really difficult to tell ,who has made the best signings out of us,Hull & Coventry ,as they have also made some very good additions. I guess we'll find out in a few weeks!
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billlm added 15:26 - Aug 17 It's a John travolta moment
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flykickingbybgunn added 15:33 - Aug 17 Apparently we mean business this time. Stone me. £150m. This is Ipswich right ? Bring it on !
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tetchris added 15:37 - Aug 17 Still need another striker regardless of this signing.
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Bluemike31 added 15:38 - Aug 17 People can say what they like about Ashton but what a incredible job him and his team are doing.
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notoriousITFC added 15:38 - Aug 17 We've done a great job with core transfers. Let's not forget, we still have the potential of 3 loan signings which could also represent v. strong options to fill some of the remaining gaps.
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Dissboyitfc added 15:39 - Aug 17 Especially Pleased to get this one over the line! What a great window so far and more incoming! Can remember when a big spend for us was £1.7mil on kaden Jackson! Wonder if any of the self proclaimed super fans are getting excited??
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