Ipswich sign Enciso and Ouattara in double raid on Strasbourg

Strasbourg's Paraguayan midfielder Julio Enciso (R) has joined Ipswich (Fred TANNEAU) Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil made a double raid on his former club Strasbourg to sign Julio Enciso and Abdoul Ouattara on Monday. Enciso is back at Ipswich in a deal worth a reported £25 million ($33 million) after spending six months on loan from Brighton in 2025 in a spell that ended in the Tractor Boys' relegation from the Premier League. The Paraguay winger, who played for his country at the recent World Cup, joined Strasbourg in September 2025, impressing O'Neil enough to earn a five-year contract after the manager's move to Ipswich in the close-season. "I really enjoyed my time on loan at the club and I was so happy to see them win promotion back to the Premier League last season," Enciso said. "I worked with the manager in France last season and the chance to play for him again at a great club like Ipswich is one I'm very excited for." Ipswich won promotion to the Premier League in May under the management of Kieran McKenna, who quit at the end of last season. Ahead of Ipswich's Premier League opener at home to Sunderland on Saturday, Ivorian forward Ouattara was also reunited with O'Neil at Portman Road. Ouattara, 20, signed a contract lasting until 2031 to complete his £17 million move to England. "Abdoul is a talented young player who can play in different positions, so is a very good addition to our squad," O'Neil said. "We enjoyed working with him in France last season and are delighted to have the opportunity to do so again at Ipswich." smg/nf