Ipswich land Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu from Leicester for their Premier League return

Ipswich Town have moved early to sharpen their attack for life back in the Premier League, completing the signing of Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu from Leicester City. The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Portman Road, with the fee reported at around 20 million pounds plus a further 3 million in add-ons.

It is a statement of intent from a club that knows exactly how hard survival in the top flight can be. Fatawu arrives as one of the more exciting wide players outside the established elite, a direct, quick winger who can beat his man and get crosses in, and who carried a genuine threat even as things unravelled around him at Leicester.

A step back up for Fatawu

The move takes him straight back into the Premier League after Leicester’s slide out of it. He first made his name in England during Leicester’s Championship title season, when his running and end product marked him out as one of the division’s standout attackers, and he stayed on for their spell in the top flight. Once Leicester could not hold on to their status, a player of his age and ceiling was always going to attract interest from clubs still in the division.

Ipswich building for survival

For Ipswich, the signing fits a clear plan. Getting promoted is one thing, staying up is a different job entirely, and the last time they were in the Premier League the fine margins caught them out. Adding pace and directness in the wide areas is the kind of upgrade a promoted side needs if it wants to do more than simply enjoy the ride for a year. Fatawu gives them someone who can win a game on his own on his day.

The Tractor Boys begin their Premier League campaign next month, and getting a deal of this profile over the line this early gives their reshaped squad time to gel before the real business starts.

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