“I Had No Doubts”- £11.5M Star Reveals Why He Walked Away from Leicester for Ipswich – Fans Won’t Believe His Reason”

Kasey McAteer Opens Up on Ipswich Town Move

Winger Kasey McAteer has shared his thoughts on making the move from Leicester City to Ipswich Town in an interview with TownTV, as reported by Mark Heath.

Having closely followed Ipswich’s rise, McAteer was already well aware of what the club represents—back-to-back promotions, an exciting young manager, ambitious ownership, and a clear vision. So when the chance to join came along, he didn’t hesitate.

“It’s a really attractive project here, something special that’s being built by the players, staff, and everyone involved,” he said. “I wanted to be part of that. I’ve played here before as an away player and the atmosphere was incredible.”

“The fans really get behind the team, and once I knew Ipswich were interested, it was a no-brainer. It’s a great move for my career—and from that point on, it was the only move I wanted.”

The £11.5m switch marks a significant chapter in McAteer’s journey. After spending 14 years at Leicester—joining the club as an eight-year-old—it’s his first major career move.

“It’s definitely tough,” the 23-year-old admitted, after making his Town debut from the bench at Preston. “I won’t pretend otherwise.

I had some amazing years at Leicester and I’ll always love the club. But right now, this feels like the right step. Ipswich is an exciting place to be.”

Helping smooth the transition is the presence of several familiar faces at Portman Road. McAteer joins a growing Republic of Ireland contingent at the club, including Sammie Szmodics, Chieo Ogbene, Jack Taylor, and Dara O’Shea—along with goalkeeping coach Rene Gilmartin, who’s also part of the Irish national setup.

He also knows George Hirst from their Leicester days and linked up with Ali Al-Hamadi while on loan at Wimbledon.

“I already know a lot of the Irish lads and a few others from previous clubs,” he explained. “It’s always easier coming into a new squad when you’ve got existing relationships, and they only had positive things to say about Ipswich.

“I’ll see them over the next few days and I’m excited to get going. Knowing some of the guys already will definitely help me settle in.”

One of those familiar faces, Dara O’Shea, has recently been named club captain—something McAteer sees as fully deserved.

“Dara’s a top guy,” he said. “When I went on my first Ireland camp, he was one of the first to make me feel welcome.

I’ve got a lot of respect for him, and him being named captain just shows he’s the right person to lead this club. I’m looking forward to learning from him.”

McAteer also shares the club’s ambition of returning to the Premier League—a level he got his first taste of last season with Leicester.

“I absolutely loved it,” he said of his Premier League debut. “It’s every kid’s dream to play at that level, and I want more of it.

That’s the aim—not just for me, but for the whole squad—to get Ipswich back there by next season.”

And with plenty of players in the Town squad having experience of the Championship grind—and what it takes to earn promotion—McAteer is confident they’re ready for the challenge.

“Experience is crucial in this league,” he noted. “You’ve got Saturday-Tuesday games, constant intensity, and you have to be ready for every battle—whether it’s a tackle, a header, or just putting in the work for 95 minutes.

“I’m up for the challenge, and I’m eager to get started.”