Ipswich Town have confirmed the signing of winger Jaden Philogene from Aston Villa on a four-and-a-half-year contract, with the transfer fee reported to be around £22 million (approximately $27 million). This acquisition marks Ipswich's second signing of the January transfer window, following the loan of Ben Godfrey from Atalanta.
Philogene, a promising 22-year-old talent, returned to Aston Villa from Hull City earlier this summer on a long-term deal. However, he has found it challenging to secure a regular spot in manager Unai Emery's plans, leading to his move to Ipswich as he aims to revitalise his career. Expressing his enthusiasm for this new chapter at Portman Road, Philogene remarked, "I'm excited to be here and I know there are great players in the squad. I just want to play as much as possible. As a player I like to dribble and link up play and provide goals and assists. I'm looking forward to it."
Ipswich Town's manager, Kieran McKenna, shared his excitement about the signing, emphasising Philogene's potential fit within the team's structure. "He is a player that we like, who we have tried to bring to the club in previous windows and we think he has got qualities to really fit in here," McKenna stated. He further noted, "It has been a slightly longer process than we would have wanted, but steadfast within all that has been that Jaden believes in the project here. It is a complicated deal for the football club to do because he is a young player who has just signed a five-year contract with Aston Villa in the summer."
As Ipswich Town navigates the challenges of the Premier League, they currently sit 17th in the standings, narrowly avoiding relegation on goal difference. The team is preparing for a crucial encounter against Brighton on Thursday, with hopes of improving their league position bolstered by the arrival of Philogene. This signing underscores Ipswich's commitment to strengthening their squad as they strive for stability and success in the top flight.