Jens Cajuste returns to Ipswich Town on loan from Napoli

Jens Cajuste Returns to Ipswich on Season-Long Loan from Napoli

Jens Cajuste has rejoined Ipswich Town for a second consecutive season on loan from Italian side Napoli.

The Swedish international, who started 25 Premier League matches for Town last season, returns to Portman Road as the club gears up for its first campaign back in the Championship. Manager Kieran McKenna previously admitted it took considerable effort to bring the 25-year-old back, especially after relegation.

Despite widespread interest in Cajuste from clubs across Europe this summer, Ipswich have secured the midfielder’s services once again—just in time for the new season. According to EADT and the Ipswich Star, the Blues have agreed to a loan fee of €1 million (£870,000), with a clause to make the move permanent for €6.5 million (£5.6 million) if the club secures promotion.

Cajuste strengthens a relatively thin midfield group currently consisting of Azor Matusiwa, Jack Taylor, and Cameron Humphreys. He will reunite with Matusiwa, his former teammate at French club Reims during the 2022/23 season.

The move was completed ahead of the 12pm registration deadline, making Cajuste eligible for Saturday’s Championship opener away at Birmingham City. However, given his limited pre-season, it remains uncertain whether McKenna will include him in the matchday squad.

Meanwhile, Ipswich are reportedly close to finalising another loan move, this time for Ajax striker Chuba Akpom.

In an exclusive interview earlier this year, Cajuste expressed how well he had settled in Suffolk, describing life at the club as fitting him “like a hand in a glove.” Speaking on his return, he said:

“I’m really happy everything has fallen into place and I’m delighted to be back.

I always hoped over the summer that a return would be possible, and I’m really looking forward to getting back with the lads.

Last season was one of the best experiences of my professional career. The team spirit, the environment, and working under such an outstanding manager made it truly special.

From what I’ve seen, the Championship is like a war—one of the toughest leagues in the world—and I’m excited for that challenge.”

Ipswich Town – Summer 2025 Transfer Window Recap

New Signings:

David Button (Reading, free)
Azor Matusiwa (Rennes, £7.8m)
Cedric Kipre (Reims, loan)
Ashley Young (Everton, free)
Jens Cajuste (Napoli, loan)

Returned from Loans:

Cameron Humphreys (Wycombe)
Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke)
Harry Clarke (Sheffield United)
Elkan Baggott (Blackpool)

Departures:

Liam Delap (Chelsea, £30m – relegation release clause)
Sam Morsy (Kuwait SC, free)

Free Transfers (Bosman Exits):

Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley)
Cameron Burgess (Swansea)

Released Players:

Massimo Luongo (joined Millwall)
Marcus Harness (joined Huddersfield)

Loans Expired:

Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City)
Julio Enciso (Brighton)
Ben Godfrey (Atalanta)

Current Ipswich Town Squad (29 senior players – max. 25 can be registered)

Goalkeepers: Palmer, Walton, Button, Muric, Slicker*
Right-backs: Young, Johnson, H. Clarke**
Centre-backs: O’Shea, Greaves, Woolfenden, Kipre, Baggott
Left-backs: Davis, Townsend**
Central Midfielders: Matusiwa, Cajuste, Taylor, Humphreys
Right Wingers: Hutchinson, Ogbene, Burns**
Attacking Midfielders (No.10): Szmodics, Chaplin
Left Wingers: J. Clarke, Philogene, Broadhead
Strikers: Hirst, Al-Hamadi