Ipswich make their first signing right after moving back up to the Premier League!
Ipswich have made their first signing for next season right after securing promotion back to the Premier League.
The Tractor Boys were relegated from the top league in the 2024/25 season but bounced back quickly under manager Kieran McKenna, who guided them straight back up.
Coventry easily won the Championship with 95 points, but Ipswich just edged out Millwall to grab the second automatic promotion spot after a 3-0 win over QPR at Portman Road.
The team celebrated together with lifelong fan and shareholder Ed Sheeran in the dressing room after the big win.
As soon as the final whistle blew, Ipswich announced their first permanent signing for next season in the Premier League.
Defender Cedric Kipre will stay with Ipswich after a great loan spell.
The Ivorian came on loan from French club Reims, and the deal said the move would become permanent if Ipswich got promoted.
Now that they have, the transfer was made official right after the last game.
Kipre played 25 times this season, scoring three goals. He’s no stranger to English football, having played for Leicester City, Non-League side Corby Town, Wigan Athletic, West Brom, and Cardiff City before joining Ipswich.
Although he hasn’t played in the Premier League yet, he’ll surely be excited to live that dream next season.
After the promotion, the 29-year-old shared on Instagram with a few photos: “What a day. What a season. What a club. Job done @premierleague ALL THE GLORY BE TO GOD.”
One player from Ipswich’s promotion team who won’t be back next season is former England international Ashley Young.
Young made 15 appearances for Ipswich in 2026/27 but has decided to retire at 40 after playing for clubs like Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Everton.