Ipswich Town Secures Enciso and Ouattara for Premier League Push

Ipswich Town have underlined their Premier League intent with a double swoop from Strasbourg, bringing back a familiar face and adding one of Ligue 1’s brightest young midfielders.

Julio Enciso, 22, and Abdoul Ouattara, 20, have both signed five-year deals at Portman Road, reuniting with head coach Gary O'Neil after their time together in France. The combined fee could rise to £47.3m, a statement outlay for a club still fresh from promotion.

Enciso returns to Portman Road

For Enciso, this is not a new adventure so much as a continuation.

The Paraguay international spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Ipswich from Brighton, playing his part as the Tractor Boys surged back into the Premier League before moving to Strasbourg.

"I am so happy to be back at Ipswich Town," he 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."

Ipswich know exactly what they are getting: a direct, inventive winger who already understands the demands of the club, the stadium, and the manager. This is not a speculative signing. It is a calculated return.

Ouattara brings European pedigree

If Enciso is the known quantity, Ouattara is the rising force.

The Ivorian midfielder made 45 appearances for Strasbourg in Ligue 1 and helped drive the French side to the Uefa Conference League semi-finals last season, building a reputation for energy and maturity beyond his years.

"I am still young but have had some good experiences already and I can't wait to meet the fans and my team-mates and get started," Ouattara said.

O'Neil has worked with both players before. That matters. It shortens adaptation time, sharpens expectations and gives Ipswich a core of players already tuned into his methods as they step into a far more unforgiving division.

Ipswich keep spending – with purpose

Since climbing out of the Championship last season, Ipswich have not tiptoed into the top flight. They have charged at it.

Their total outlay has now hit £150m, with Enciso and Ouattara taking the club up to 12 major signings in this window. The numbers are big, the strategy clear: build a squad not just to survive, but to belong.

Portman Road has its promotion heroes. Now it has two more young, ambitious additions, both tied down long term, both arriving with the manager’s full trust.

The question is no longer whether Ipswich are ready for the Premier League. It is how high this rebuilt side can climb.