Later signing: Ipswich Town have officially announced the signing of top talented player Femi Azeez for €17 million.
In a late-window deal that has exceeded expectations among their fanbase, Ipswich Town have completed the high-profile signing of Femi Azeez from Reading for a club-record fee of €17 million (£14.5 million). The 23-year-old winger has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Portman Road, with the option of a further 12 months, marking the Tractor Boys’ biggest investment since securing promotion to the Championship last season. The announcement comes after weeks of intense negotiations, with Ipswich beating off competition from several Championship rivals and a handful of top-flight clubs across Europe to secure the services of one of the division’s most exciting talents.
Azeez’s arrival represents a major statement of intent from Ipswich, who are targeting a second consecutive promotion to the Premier League. Since breaking into Reading’s first team three years ago, the London-born attacker has established himself as one of the most dynamic wide players in the English second tier, scoring 26 goals and providing 19 assists in 98 appearances. His blistering pace, close control and ability to deliver pinpoint crosses have made him a nightmare for opposition defenders, while his versatility to play on either flank or through the middle adds valuable tactical flexibility to Kieran McKenna’s squad. Last season, he ranked in the top five Championship players for successful dribbles per game (3.1) and crosses into the box (2.7), demonstrating his consistent impact in attacking areas.
Speaking exclusively to Ipswich’s official website after completing his medical and signing the contract, Azeez expressed his excitement at joining the club: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to take my career to the next level. Ipswich have shown incredible ambition in recent years, and the way the team plays under Kieran McKenna really appeals to me. I’ve been impressed by the atmosphere at Portman Road and the passion of the fans – I can’t wait to pull on the blue shirt and start contributing to our promotion push.” Azeez also paid tribute to his former club, adding: “Reading gave me my chance in professional football, and I’ll always be grateful for everything they’ve done for me. But now I’m focused entirely on helping Ipswich achieve their goals.”
Manager Kieran McKenna highlighted Azeez’s potential to become a key figure for the club in the coming years: “We’re delighted to bring Femi to Ipswich. We’ve been monitoring his progress closely for some time, and we believe he has all the qualities to succeed at the highest level. He’s a player with genuine pace and creativity, who can change games with a single moment of brilliance. His arrival strengthens our attacking options significantly as we enter the crucial final stages of the season. We’ll give him time to settle in and adapt to our style of play, but we’re confident he’ll make an immediate impact.”
The €17 million fee breaks Ipswich’s previous transfer record set by the signing of Conor Chaplin in 2021, and reflects the club’s growing financial muscle under owner Marcus Evans. The deal includes performance-related add-ons that could take the total value to €22 million if Azeez meets specific targets related to appearances, goals and promotion. The club’s recruitment team have worked tirelessly to finalise the transfer before the deadline, with director of football Mark Ashton describing the signing as “a landmark moment for Ipswich Town as we continue to build a squad capable of competing in the Premier League.”
Azeez will wear the number 22 shirt for Ipswich and is in line to make his debut in this weekend’s Championship clash against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. With the Tractor Boys currently sitting third in the table, just two points behind second-placed Leeds United, his arrival provides a timely boost as they look to secure automatic promotion. The signing has already generated huge excitement among supporters, with tickets for their next home game against Sunderland selling out within hours of the announcement. As Ipswich chase a return to the top flight after a 22-year absence, Femi Azeez could be the game-changing addition that propels them to their goal.
