Wes Burns and Dara O'Shea react to Conor Chaplin leaving Ipswich Town for Leicester | OneFootball

The current Ipswich Town players have reacted to Conor Chaplin signing for Leicester City

Conor Chaplin has found his new club after leaving Ipswich Town this summer, signing for recently relegated League One outfit Leicester City.

The 29-year-old becomes the Foxes' first signing since their relegation to the third tier and will be tasked with providing a similar attacking threat to the one he did at Portman Road while the Tractor Boys were in League One.

Chaplin was one of the driving forces behind Ipswich's meteoric rise from the third tier to the Premier League in as many seasons following his move from Barnsley in 2021.

His 26 goals in the 2022/23 League One campaign won him the Golden Boot, and he followed that up with 13 goals and nine assists en route to Premier League promotion.

But the writing was seemingly on the wall when it came to his Ipswich career after he was loaned out to Portsmouth, the club he began his career at, in the final year of his deal last season.

After just two goals at Fratton Park, combined with the Tractor Boys earning promotion once again, it was announced that Chaplin would be moving on, and Leicester have snapped him up on a free transfer.

Dara O'Shea and Wes Burns react to Conor Chaplin's Leicester City switch

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Chaplin's influence on the team and popularity amongst the squad was heightened by the fact he remained a part of Kieran McKenna's top-flight squad throughout the whole campaign, while others were loaned out.

He made 22 appearances in the 2024/25 term, scoring his first and only Premier League goal against Bournemouth.

Ipswich captain Dara O'Shea, who joined the club ahead of that sole season in the top flight, and long-standing Tractor Boy, Wes Burns, who is one of the few players remaining from their time in League One, offered their support to the popular former player after his move to the Foxes was confirmed.

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Both reposted the arrival post to their Instagram stories, with O'Shea saying, "@conorchaplin19 love it bud, all the best ❤️," and Burns adding, "Things you love to see 🔥 @conorchaplin19."

Burns especially will have a long-standing relationship with the 29-year-old, with them both coming to the club at the same time and playing key roles in Kieran McKenna's side all the way to the Premier League.

The 31-year-old signed a new one-year deal at Portman Road this summer, meaning that now, just him, Leif Davis, Christian Walton, Cameron Humphreys and Harry Clarke are the only senior players remaining from the 2022/23 squad, with the latter two also expected to join Chaplin on the departures list this summer, too.

Leicester City have made a statement of intent with Conor Chaplin arrival

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Last season wasn't exactly the most productive back at Portsmouth for Chaplin, as he was part of a forward line that struggled massively in parts.

However, despite just scoring twice in 36 league games, there were many still touting a Championship move for the 29-year-old after he became a free agent. Therefore, for Leicester to snap him up shows how strong a pulling power they have in League One this summer.

The last time Chaplin played in the third tier, he won the Golden Boot, and under Russell Martin, who prioritises high-possession and dominating the ball, the 29-year-old could find himself near the top of the goalscoring charts once more.

Plus, the attacking midfielder is clearly a popular character and someone who will have a positive impact on a dressing room which has been short of confidence in recent seasons as Leicester have slid down the leagues.