Ipswich Town re-sign Julio Enciso from Strasbourg on five-year deal

Ipswich Town have completed the permanent signing of Paraguay forward Julio Enciso from French club Strasbourg on a five-year contract.

The deal will keep Enciso at Portman Road until the summer of 2031, although the clubs have not disclosed the transfer fee.

The 22-year-old previously spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Ipswich Town from Brighton. He scored twice in 13 appearances, including a spectacular strike against Everton at Goodison Park.

Enciso returned to France for the following campaign with Strasbourg, where he became an important member of the team. He contributed to 12 goals and created nine more during the season, helping the club reach the semi-finals of both the UEFA Conference League and the Coupe de France.

Strasbourg also challenged for a place in European competition in Ligue 1. During the second half of the campaign, Enciso worked under manager Gary O’Neil as the club continued its run in both cup competitions.

The forward also represented Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup, making five appearances. He scored his country’s opening goal in their knockout-stage victory over Germany in Boston.

Enciso was born in Caaguazu, Paraguay, and joined Libertad at the age of 12. He made his first-team debut for the club aged 15, becoming the youngest player in Libertad’s history to appear for the senior side.

He was part of the Libertad teams that won the Apertura titles in 2021 and 2022 before moving to Brighton in the summer of 2022.

After arriving in the Premier League, Enciso quickly attracted attention for his ability to score spectacular goals. His most notable effort came against Manchester City in May 2023, when his strike was named the Premier League Goal of the Season.

In January 2025, he returned to Ipswich Town on loan and found the net twice during that spell. Both goals came in draws against Chelsea and Everton.

Enciso then moved to Strasbourg at the beginning of the 2025-26 season and soon established himself as a regular in the side. His performances helped the French club make progress in the domestic and European cups while competing for a European qualification place in the league.

Across his club career, Enciso has made 182 appearances, scoring 40 goals and providing 26 assists.

At international level, he has won 37 caps for Paraguay and scored five goals. His major tournament experience includes the 2021 Copa America, the 2024 Olympic Games in France and the 2026 World Cup.

The permanent move gives Ipswich a player already familiar with the club, having previously produced decisive moments during his loan spell in the Premier League. Enciso will now continue his career at Ipswich on a contract running through to 2031.