Ipswich Town Star Feels Former Club Could Have Handled Exit Better | OneFootball

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Ipswich Town star Chuba Akpom has admitted to being unhappy with the way his exit from Ajax was handled.

The 30-year-old joined the Dutch giants in 2023 after a prolific campaign at Championship side Middlesbrough, arriving in Amsterdam with strong expectations.

The forward, however, struggled to fully establish himself at the Johan Cruijff Arena, while Ajax’s own turbulent campaign only added further instability around the squad.

Akpom joined French outfit Lille on a six-month loan deal in January 2025, though his struggles to find his rhythm continued as he returned to Amsterdam again after six months.

By that stage, Ajax were already pushing towards an exit, freezing Akpom out of first-team plans as they looked to reduce the wage bill and reshape the squad.

Akpom eventually attracted interest from several Championship clubs, with Birmingham City attempting to convince him over a move before he opted for a fresh challenge at Portman Road, joining the Tractor Boys on a loan deal containing an option to buy.

Following Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League, the option to buy was activated, confirming Akpom’s permanent departure from the Johan Cruijff Arena.

Akpom stressed that he understood Ajax’s financial situation and accepted certain exits had to happen as the club attempted to restore stability, though he maintained the way the situation was handled towards him was not proper.

The attacker told Dutch daily De Telegraaf: “I understood the situation Ajax were in. I understood that some players had to leave and that in some cases a departure had to be forced.”

He added: “Ajax needed to return to the financial position the club belongs in.

“My salary was very high.

“I couldn’t do anything about that, because it was my agent who had negotiated.

“The way I was treated was therefore not correct.”

The Ipswich star revealed that he discovered on social media that he was not part of Ajax’s first team plans and believes there would have been a better way for the club to handle the situation.

“I read on social media that I was no longer welcome in the first team.

“I told [technical director] Alex Kroes that there were better ways to tell me that.

“We could have had a conversation, he could have called me or sent me a message.

“Especially considering the contribution I have made.

“But no hard feelings. ”

After the permanent transfer was completed, Akpom signed a contract running until 2029 as part of Ipswich’s long-term plans ahead of their Premier League return.

He made 31 appearances for Kieran McKenna’s side last season, with many of those coming from the bench to provide fresh legs.

Ipswich and Akpom will now look to build together in the Premier League as the Tractor Boys attempt to secure their status back in the top flight and avoid instantly going back down.