Ipswich Town is sending a clear message to the rest of the Premier League: they are not back just to make up the numbers.
In a stunning double-swoop that has caught the football world by surprise, the newly promoted side has agreed to a blockbuster package worth over €30 million with French Ligue 1 club Strasbourg. The deal brings Paraguayan international attacker Julio Enciso back to Portman Road on a permanent five-year contract, alongside highly-rated 20-year-old utility player Abdoul Ouattara.
With both players finalizing the details, this dual acquisition marks a massive statement of intent for the Tractor Boys.
The Return of Julio Enciso: Unfinished Business
For Ipswich fans, Julio Enciso is a familiar face. The 22-year-old Paraguay international spent the latter half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Portman Road from Brighton & Hove Albion. Though he flashed immense quality—scoring twice in 13 appearances—he was unable to rescue the club from relegation at the time.
Now, after a highly successful stint in France with Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg, Enciso is returning to Suffolk a matured and far more lethal threat. Last season, he racked up an impressive 12 goals and 9 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
His return also reunites him with manager Gary O’Neil. O'Neil, who took over the Ipswich hot seat from Kieran McKenna this summer, spent six months coaching Enciso at Strasbourg earlier this year. That existing chemistry likely played a crucial role in convincing the South American star to commit his long-term future to Portman Road.
Abdoul Ouattara: The Ultimate Utility Weapon
While Enciso provides the star power, the inclusion of Abdoul Ouattara in this €30m+ package is an incredibly smart piece of business.
At just 20 years old, Ouattara is already a seasoned professional. A graduate of Strasbourg's respected youth academy, he has already made 62 first-team appearances since his debut in late 2024.
What makes Ouattara such a coveted asset is his tactical flexibility. He is equally comfortable operating in the heart of midfield or filling in at either fullback position. In a grueling Premier League campaign where squad depth is tested to its limits, having a young, versatile plug-and-play operator like Ouattara is invaluable.
Ipswich's Summer Spending Spree Reaches Fever Pitch
The double signing of Enciso and Ouattara marks Ipswich’s 12th and 13th acquisitions of an incredibly busy summer transfer window.
The club's ownership has backed Gary O’Neil heavily, completely restructuring the squad for top-flight survival and beyond. Prominent new faces already settling into the squad include:
- Sasa Lukic & Issa Diop (from Fulham)
- Florentino Luis (from Burnley)
- Chuba Akpom (from Ajax)
- Emersonn (from Toulouse)
With Enciso and Ouattara added to the mix, O'Neil now has a dynamic, youth-infused squad capable of playing high-tempo, modern football.
What's Next?
Ipswich Town will not have to wait long to test their expensive new squad. Their highly anticipated Premier League return kicks off this Saturday when they host Sunderland at a surely rocking Portman Road.
Whether Enciso and Ouattara are integrated into the starting lineup immediately remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Ipswich Town is armed, dangerous, and ready for the top flight.
