The 29-year-old will spend the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Portman Road, returning to the Championship for the first time since bagging 28 goals for Middlesbrough in 2022/23.
He’ll now aim to fire Kieran McKenna’s side back to the Premier League. The East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star understand that there will be an obligation to buy him if they do return to the top flight – reportedly set at £7m.
Championship rivals Birmingham City had pursued a deal for Akpom ahead of Friday’s clash at St. Andrew’s, but Ipswich were able to hijack the deal, convincing him to make the move to Suffolk instead.
“I was really excited when I heard of the interest and I’m delighted to have joined a club with such big ambitions,” he told TownTV.
“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.
The 29-year-old could make his debut away at Bromley on Tuesday night (Image: ITFC)
“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.”
Ajax technical director Alex Kroes said: “Chuba is a top professional and a hard worker. This temporary move to Ipswich Town FC offers him a great opportunity to showcase his qualities on a weekly basis.
“We hope that his goals will help play a key role in their push for promotion to the Premier League.
“We wish Chuba every success and enjoyment in England and will follow his progress with keen interest.”
Akpom came through Arsenal’s academy, spending time out on loan at Brentford, Coventry City, Hull City, Brighton and Belgian side Sint-Truiden.
A permanent switch to PAOK Salonika followed, scoring 14 goals over two seasons, before returning to England with Middlesbrough in September 2020.
From there, he joined Ajax, scoring 23 goals in 71 games in all competitions, spending last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Lille, featuring in the Champions League for the first time in his career.
Akpom becomes Ipswich’s sixth signing of the summer and could make his debut away at Bromley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
TOWN TRANSFERS SUMMER 2025
SIGNED: David Button (Reading, free), Azor Matusiwa (Rennes, £7.8m), Cedric Kipre (Reims, loan), Ashley Young (Everton, free), Jens Cajuste (Napoli, loan), Chuba Akpom (Ajax, loan)
RETURNED FROM LOANS: Cameron Humphreys (Wycombe), Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke), Harry Clarke (Sheff Utd), Elkan Baggott (Blackpool)
SOLD: Liam Delap (Chelsea, £30m relegation release clause), Sam Morsy (Kuwait SC, free)
BOSMAN EXITS: Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Cameron Burgess (Swansea)
RELEASED: Massimo Luongo (signed for Millwall), Marcus Harness (signed for Huddersfield)
LOANS EXPIRED: Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Julio Enciso (Brighton), Ben Godfrey (Atalanta)
TOWN SQUAD AS IT STANDS
29 ‘senior’ players. Maximum of 25 can be registered
GK: Palmer, Walton, Button, Muric
RB: Young, Johnson, H.Clarke*
CB: O’Shea, Greaves, Woolfenden, Kipre, Baggott
LB: Davis, Townsend*
CM: Matusiwa, Cajuste, Taylor, Humphreys
RW: Hutchinson, Ogbene, Burns*
No.10: Szmodics, Chaplin
LW: J.Clarke, Philogene, Broadhead
ST: Hirst, Akpom, Al-Hamadi
* Medium/long-term injury