Ipswich Town has reached an agreement to secure Julio Enciso on a permanent basis, with the Paraguay international set to depart Strasbourg for the Premier League side.
The 22-year-old attacker is familiar with Ipswich, having spent half a year on loan there from Brighton in 2025. His return will also see him link up once again with Gary O’Neil, who coached Enciso at Strasbourg last season before taking charge at Ipswich this summer.
Julio Enciso makes Ipswich Town comeback
O’Neil pushed for an early reunion with Enciso after being impressed by the forward’s displays during their time together in France. The Ipswich boss made the signing a priority as the club looked to bolster their squad for their top-flight return.
Enciso built a solid reputation at Strasbourg, where he was seen as a potential future addition for Chelsea. The French outfit shares ownership with the London club through the BlueCo group.
His switch back to Ipswich marks another chapter in the career of a player who has already gained experience in both English and French football.
Strasbourg set for major Enciso windfall
The transfer fee has not been disclosed, but the deal is likely to consume a large portion of Ipswich’s remaining transfer budget.
Strasbourg are also poised to make a considerable financial gain on Enciso, having paid £7.7m for the forward last summer. The 22-year-old impressed enough during his time in France to draw significant interest from within the club’s network.
For Ipswich, the scale of the investment could make Enciso one of the most costly signings of their active summer window.
Ipswich spending power put to the test
Ipswich have already secured 10 major signings this summer as they gear up for life in the Premier League. Their new arrivals include Daizen Maeda from Celtic and Abdul Fatawu from Leicester City.
The club has also shattered their transfer record by landing Emersonn from Toulouse for £24m earlier in the window. Whether the Enciso deal will surpass that amount remains to be seen.
The Paraguayan’s arrival would add yet another significant outlay to an already busy recruitment drive.
Ipswich ready for Premier League challenge
Ipswich earned promotion from the Championship and are now finalizing preparations for the start of their Premier League campaign.
Their opening league match is set for 22 August, when they will face Sunderland at home.
The return of Enciso gives O’Neil another familiar face as Ipswich continue their build-up to the new season.