Exequiel Palacios becomes the first World Cup champion to ever pull on an Ipswich shirt — and explains exactly why he chose Portman Road for the next chapter of his career
In over 150 years of history, Ipswich Town have never had a World Cup winner walk through their doors. Until now.
Argentina international Exequiel Palacios has completed his move to Portman Road, officially becoming the first World Cup winner in the club’s history to sign for Ipswich Town. It’s a landmark moment for a club now competing in the Premier League — and one that signals just how far the Blues’ ambitions have grown.
From World Champion to Suffolk
Palacios isn’t just decorated — he’s one of the most accomplished midfielders to ever consider a move to English football’s less glamorous outposts. The 27-year-old boasts a trophy cabinet most Premier League regulars would envy: one World Cup and two Copa América titles with Argentina, plus an unbeaten Bundesliga championship with Bayer Leverkusen in 2023/24.
He arrives from Leverkusen for a fee of €22.5m plus €5m in add-ons — a total package worth around £23.6 million — and has signed a four-year deal. He’ll wear the No.25 shirt and could make his bow as early as Sunday, away at Manchester United.
In His Own Words: Why Ipswich?
For a player with Champions League football and continental glory behind him, the decision to join a newly-promoted side raised eyebrows — so Palacios addressed it head-on:
“I am delighted to have signed for Ipswich Town. This is a club with great ambition and I am excited to play football in England and compete against some of the best clubs and players in the world.
“I have enjoyed speaking with everyone at the club and I am now looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started on the pitch with my team-mates, as well as meeting the fans as soon as possible.”
A Record-Breaking Summer at Portman Road
This isn’t just a historic signing in terms of prestige — it’s historic in terms of pure financial commitment too. Palacios becomes Ipswich’s 13th summer signing, pushing the club’s total transfer spend to nearly £170 million. That figure now stands as a new record for any newly-promoted Premier League club, underlining just how serious Ipswich are about staying up — and building something lasting.
And the business isn’t finished. The EADT and Ipswich Star understand the Blues are already deep in talks with Aston Villa over a loan deal for experienced striker Tammy Abraham, a forward with Chelsea, Roma, and AC Milan on his CV.
O’Neil: “That Experience Will Be Vital”
Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil didn’t hide his delight at landing a player with Palacios’ pedigree:
“We are really pleased to have added a player of Exequiel’s quality to the group. He is a player who has had real success at the top level of the game, winning the biggest prize of all in the World Cup, as well as major trophies at club level. That experience will be vital for us as we continue to work to improve the squad this summer.
“We’re looking forward to him getting started and can’t wait to see him on the pitch.”
A Moment Ipswich Fans Will Remember
Whatever happens this season, Palacios’ signing will be remembered as a symbolic turning point — the moment a World Cup winner chose Ipswich Town. For a club built on years of hard-fought promotions and against-the-odds survival stories, it’s proof of just how much has changed.
The countdown to his debut starts now.
