Wednesday May 06, 2026. 15:10
Ivory Coast defender Cedric Kipre and Nigeria-eligible Chuba Akpom have signed permanent deals with Premier League-bound Ipswich Town.
Kipre made 32 appearances in the Championship this season, triggering a clause in his initial season-long loan deal from the French second-tier club Stade de Reims.
Akpom played 29 times in the league, scoring twice, and completed his switch from Dutch giants Ajax on a permanent basis.
Both players will finalise their deals on 1 July, with Akpom signing a three-year contract. The length of Kipre’s deal has not been announced.
“It feels brilliant to be officially part of this massive club after everything we have achieved together,” Kipre said, as quoted by the BBC.
“I have loved being here since the first day I arrived. Everyone welcomed me so well and it didn’t feel like I was on loan, so I’m delighted to become a permanent player.
“I can’t wait for next season and it will mean a lot to represent this club in the Premier League. It’s been my dream and I’m very, very happy.”
Ipswich confirmed a return to the Premier League this past weekend with victory over Queens Park Rangers, joining Championship title winners Coventry City in automatic promotion.