Why Chuba Akpom has joined Ipswich Town - he has confirmed the reasons after Birmingham, Middlesbrough interest | OneFootball

Chuba Akpom snubbed Birmingham City to make the switch to Ipswich Town

Chuba Akpom made the switch to Ipswich Town earlier this month after previous intense interest from rivals Birmingham City.

The Tractor Boys confirmed the move for the forward after their 1-1 draw with the Blues at St. Andrew’s.

Akpom has previously played in the Championship with Middlesbrough, even earning the golden boot for the Teesside outfit prior to his switch to Ajax.

He scored 28 times in the 2022/23 campaign, which earned him the move to Amsterdam, but he struggled for consistent game time in the Eredivisie.

It was reported that Akpom was set for a medical with Birmingham prior to Ipswich hijacking the deal, with former side Boro also interested in a deal this summer.

Chuba Akpom opens up on Ipswich switch

Akpom has highlighted Ipswich’s grand ambitions as one reason why he was persuaded to make the jump to Portman Road.

He believes he can bring a winning mentality to Kieran McKenna’s squad, citing his experience in the Champions League and the Dutch top flight as a possible asset to the team.

“I was really excited when I heard of the interest and I’m delighted to have joined a club with such big ambitions,” said Akpom, via the official Ipswich website.

“I watch a lot of football and have always thought Ipswich would suit my style, so this move makes perfect sense.

“I have had lots of good experiences over the last few years, at Ajax and playing in the Champions League with Lille, and I feel like all of these have improved me as a player and helped me be the person I am now.

“I’m here to do as much as I can do to help the team, in the changing room and on the pitch, and I’ll bring a winning mentality here.”

Akpom has joined on loan with an obligation to buy clause, which will be triggered if Ipswich earn promotion to the Premier League this season.

It’s understood that it will cost the Suffolk outfit £7 million to seal a permanent deal next summer.

Chuba Akpom’s Championship experience

Akpom first made his way into the Championship through loan deals with Nottingham Forest, Hull City and Brighton.

The forward came through the ranks of the Arsenal academy system, but was unable to break into the Gunners’ first-team plans.

This led to a permanent move to PAOK, before he returned to English football through Middlesbrough in 2020.

While the 29-year-old initially struggled at the Riverside, leading to a loan back to PAOK, he eventually came good under Michael Carrick.

He scored 28 times in the 2022/23 Championship season, helping the club reach the play-off places.

However, failure to gain promotion after a semi-final loss to Coventry City led to his departure from Boro on a permanent basis.

Akpom made 41 league appearances for Ajax, scoring 14 times, but fell down the pecking order and was later loaned out to Lille.

The forward scored three goals in Ligue 1 for Lille last season, with the team finishing fifth in the table.