English Premier League newly-promoted side Ipswich Town has continued its aggressive summer recruitment drive, announcing the double signing of 22-year-old Paraguayan international winger Julio Enciso and 20-year-old Ivorian midfielder Abdoul Ouattara from Ligue 1 club Strasbourg. Both new arrivals have committed to five-year contracts with the East Anglian club, nicknamed the Tractor Boys.
The total transfer value for the pair could climb to £47.3 million, according to unofficial industry reports. What links both players to Ipswich is their existing working relationship with Tractor Boys manager Gary O’Neil, who coached the duo during his time in charge at Strasbourg. For Enciso, the transfer marks a return to Portman Road, having already turned out for the club during the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan, following a three-year spell at Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. He eventually moved to Strasbourg earlier this year before sealing his permanent move back to Ipswich.
In a statement following the announcement of the deal, Enciso expressed his delight at returning to the club. “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.” Enciso, who has earned 37 senior international caps for Paraguay to date, brings both top-flight English football experience and international pedigree to O’Neil’s attacking options.
For the younger Ouattara, the transfer marks his first move to a Premier League club, and he is yet to earn his first senior cap for the Ivory Coast national team. The promising young midfielder made 45 appearances for Strasbourg in France’s top division last season, and was a key member of the squad that progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League, building a strong resume despite his young age. Ouattara said he was eager to integrate with his new squad and connect with the club’s passionate fanbase: “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.”
The double signing pushes Ipswich’s total summer spending past the £150 million mark following their promotion from the Championship last season. Enciso and Ouattara are Ipswich’s 12th major senior signing of the transfer window, highlighting the club’s ambition to establish itself in the top flight after its return. Ipswich is set to kick off its 2025-26 Premier League campaign with a home fixture against Sunderland on 22 August. Fans can access exclusive pre-match, post-match and original analysis content for Ipswich Town via BBC Sounds, with dedicated programming covering all updates from the club.