Ipswich reach agreement to sign Julio Enciso from Strasbourg

Ipswich Town have reached an agreement to sign Paraguay forward Julio Enciso from Strasbourg, the club announced on 12 August 2026. The 22-year-old forward had impressed under Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil during his spell at Strasbourg last season.

Gary O'Neil, the former Bournemouth and Wolves boss who was appointed manager at Portman Road this summer, pushed for an early reunion with Enciso. Strasbourg, which shares ownership with Chelsea through the BlueCo group, regarded Enciso highly and club officials believed he had the potential to earn a move to Stamford Bridge in the future. O'Neil's interest follows the manager's previous work with Enciso at the French club.

Enciso's signing would also mark his return to Ipswich following a six-month loan spell from Brighton in 2025. His age and international status with Paraguay were cited in the club's coverage of the agreement.

The transfer fee has not been disclosed. Those involved believe it will account for a sizeable portion of Ipswich's remaining transfer budget and deliver Strasbourg a substantial profit on the £7.7m they paid for him last summer.

Ipswich have already made 10 major signings this summer, including Daizen Maeda from Celtic, Abdul Fatawu from Leicester City and club-record signing Emersonn from Toulouse. It remains unclear whether a deal for Enciso would surpass the £24m the Tractor Boys paid for Emersonn earlier in the transfer window.

Having secured promotion from the Championship, Ipswich begin their Premier League campaign at home to Sunderland on 22 August.