Ipswich will sign former West Brom defender Kipray

It is reported that Ipswich Town is approaching signing Ligue 1 defender Cedric Kipre on loan.

According to a French media, Kipre is about to join Ipswich on a loan contract that lasts a whole season. And if the team can successfully return to the Premier League next season, they will be obliged to sign him permanently for 4.5 million euros (about 3.9 million pounds).

"Tractor Boys" Ipswich, after being relegated from the top league last season, is currently preparing for a return to the Championship life. So far this summer, they have only completed a new signing, goalkeeper David Barton, who has been free transfer from Reading.

In the early stages of the summer window, Ipswich has lost three key players. Defenders Axel Toonzebe and Cameron Burgess moved to Burnley and Swansea City respectively. The team's star striker Liam Drapp switched to Chelsea with a net worth of 30 million GLISH. More players may leave in Portman Road Stadium in the coming months.

However, it looks like the "Tractor Boys" are now stepping up their signing program for the new season. After Patton arrived last week, Kipre may be the next player to enter the goal.

Ipswich is preparing to sign Reims defender Cedric Kipre

After a period of Paris Saint-Germain, Leicester City, Kobe Town and Motherwell, Kipre joined Athletic Wigan in the summer of 2018. He spent an impressive two years at the Brick Community Stadium, scoring two goals in 77 appearances.

Kipre's time at "The Athletics" (Wigan nickname) ended in disappointment. In the 2019-20 season, the team was fined 12 points for entering the management program and was eventually transferred to the League One. But Kipre's performance is enough to win him the opportunity to transfer to West Bromwich in September 2020.

After a failed attempt at gaining a foothold at Hawthorn Stadium, the 28-year-old defender was loaned to Charleroi and Cardiff City. But after his return from South Wales, he was recalled back to the team by coach Carlos Coleberan and performed well. In the 2023-24 season, he was voted as West Bromwich's best player of the season by his teammates.

Last summer, "Bloomers" (the nickname of West Brom) offered Kipre a new contract, but he refused the offer so he could return to his native France to join Reims. Last season, he was the team's regular mainstay, but that was a turbulent season for the club.

Although Kipre also achieved some success in Reims, they reached the final of the French Cup and only lost 0-3 to Paris Saint-Germain, the club from the Champagne area still lost 2-4 to Metz in the total score in the relegation playoffs, unfortunately relegated from Ligue 1. The defender's goal in the first leg also failed to save the team.

Cedric Kipre's stats for Reims last season

appearances | 34 times |

goals | 2 assists | 1 time |

It seems that Kipre will not stay in the August Delona Stadium in Ligue 2 next season. After being linked with Premier League promoted Sunderland earlier this summer, he is now preparing to join Ipswich on a preliminary, quarterly loan deal.

Kipre's arrival may help solve a major problem for Ipswich

After losing Tuanzebe and Burgess, strengthening the central defender is Ipswich's top priority this summer. And Kipray, which should be a good addition to this team from Suffolk County, should be a good addition.

"Tractor Boys" conceded an astonishing 82 goals in the Premier League last season. They even conceded 57 goals in the 2023-24 season. So, if they want to challenge a return to the top league right away, head coach Kieran McKenna will need to strengthen his backline.

Two seasons ago, Kipre was a key member of the West Brom team that entered the Championship play-offs. With this Frenchman in the team, West Bromwich's defense was extremely stable. So, Ipswich will undoubtedly hope that he can have a similar impact at Portman Road Stadium. Follow me to learn about the latest football news